[Microcirculatory changes following psychoaffective shocks]

The basis for the study conducted was a clinical observation: the fairly stereotyped microcirculatory disorders occurring during "affective" neuroses. Examinations were performed initially with the capillaroscope alone and then this was combined with plethysmography and Doppler tests in the hands and the fingers (9.2 MHz sound). Fifty-two patients were examined (30 by capillaroscopy alone and 22 with associated plethysmography and Doppler to the hands). A more psychiatrically orientated consultation with 51 of these patients indicated that an affective shock had preceded the onset of the acrosyndrome in 27 cases. The syndromes provoked may be severe and may lead to pseudo-necrotic lesions. High doses of vascular tonics are necessary, the condition being made worse by the tricyclic antidepressants.