[Arteriography in Raynaud's phenomenon]

Bilateral angiographic examination of the upper limbs is performed under general anesthesia in 64 patients of a group of 138 Raynaud's phenomenons. Clinical severity of the Raynaud's phenomenon is evaluated according to the 3 grades of Porter's classification but including a grade 4 corresponding to digital gangrene. Aetiology of Raynaud's phenomenon is in relation with connective tissue diseases in 11 cases and with other aetiologies in 22 cases. Aetiology is not defined in 31 cases. Angiographic findings are: Arterial lesions are present in all 64 patients, including 11 cases of "Raynaud's disease" defined by clinical and capillaroscopic signs. Frequency of the forearm artery lesions (31% of patients), a majority concerning ulnar artery. Absence of palmar anastomosis in 55% of the cases. Frequency and severity of digital (mean 1.4/hand) and collateral digital (mean: 7.4/hand) artery lesions. Arterial lesions are in relation with the clinical severity of the Raynaud's phenomenon but generally not with its aetiology. Authors consider that angiographic examination may be indicated in Raynaud's phenomenons in relation with defined aetiology but generally not in the other cases.