Raynaud's Phenomenon

Electric hand warmer versus observation to avoid discomfort during scalp cooling for chemotherapy-induced alopecia prevention: a randomized study

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a challenge in the management of cancer patients. Scalp cooling (SC) leads to reduction in CIA, however it is associated with significant adverse events, leading to 3-13% discontinuation rates. This pilot study evaluated the role of Electric Hand Warmers (EHW) on thermal (TC), sensorial (SCo) and general comfort (GC) in patients with breast cancer (BC) undergoing chemotherapy and SC to reduce CIA. Patients were randomly assigned to EHW use or observation. TC, SCo and GC were evaluated after each chemotherapy infusion. Favorable outcomes in both TC and SCo defined a positive result on GC. We analysed the impact of age, alopecia, chemotherapy regimen and EHW use in the different comfort scales using a Logistic Regression (LR) model. Forty women with early breast cancer were randomly assigned to EHW (n = 20) or observation (n = 20) during neo(adjuvant) chemotherapy. Median age was 53 years. In the EHW arm, favorable thermal response was reported by 79% versus 50% in the control arm (odds ratio [OR] 3.79, p < 0.001). SCo was satisfactory in 82% in the EHW arm versus 74% in the control arm (OR 1.62, p = 0.1). Overall, 73% in the EHW arm had favorable GC versus 44% in the control arm (OR 3.4, p < 0.001). Age, alopecia, and chemotherapy regimen did not impact on comfort measures. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the use of an EHW has a consistent favorable impact on TC and GC of BC patients under SC technology to prevent CIA.

[The effects of diosmin and hesperidin on capillary blood flow of upper limbs in patients with secondary Raynaud's syndrome]

The article discusses the effects of diosmin and hesperidin on capillary blood flow in patients with secondary Raynaud's syndrome (RS). Raynaud's syndrome a difficult problem of modern angiology, since in its development there is a large range of disorders of the capillary blood flow of the limbs. Currently, the main way of therapy in patients with secondary Raynaud's syndrome is the use of either calcium channel blockers (if angiospastic stage of the disease), or prostaglandins of group E1 (with tropho-paralytic stage of secondary RS). However, pharmacological effects of calcium channel blockers (vasodilation) and prostaglandins (vasodilation, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory etc.) do not allow impact on all violations of capillary blood flow, occurs when the Raynaud's syndrome. In this regard, the task was to study the reaction of capillary blood flow of the fingers of the hands on the concomitant use of drugs based on diosmin and hesperidin. A prerequisite for the use of a combination of diosmin and hesperidin in the treatment of RS was based on data about their impact on the state of the venous segment of the capillary bed and perivascular oedema. To conduct the study was established two groups of patients (22 in each group). The main criterion for inclusion of patients in the study was the presence of newly identified Raynaud's syndrome of angiospastic or tropho-paralytic stage of the disease. The main exclusion criteria was the presence of necrotic stage of the disease. In the first group of patients therapy was carried out using only vasodilators. In the second group (comparison group) with the addition of a combination of diosmin and hesperidin (tablets Venarus used in a dose 500 mg 2 times per day). The condition of capillary blood flow in this study was estimated by the method of videocapillaroscopy (VCS). Statistical data processing was performed using a criterion of statistical significance (P-value). The study revealed the significant impact of a combination of diosmin and hesperidin for parameters of capillary blood flow that correlated with clinical improvements - reduction of oedema of the fingers of the hands.

Minimally invasive treatment of Raynaud phenomenon: the role of botulinum type A

Although the mechanism is unknown, Btx-A injection may be an effective, localized, nonsurgical treatment option without addictive properties or systemic side effects for the treatment of ischemic digits. Clinical research supports the safety and efficacy of injection of Btx-A for the treatment of Raynaud phenomenon.

Raynaud phenomenon

Raynaud phenomenon, a vascular disorder triggered by cold or emotional stress, results from an exaggerated vasoconstriction and vasospasm of the digital arteries and arterioles. The fingers, and, less often, the toes, are affected; ear lobes, lips, nose, and nipples may also be involved. This article describes the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud phenomenon and reviews etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and management of symptoms.

Laser Doppler anemometry distinguishes primary Raynaud phenomenon from VWF syndrome

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated two microcirculatory function-tests, the Laser Doppler (LD)-Anemometry and the Laser Doppler Imager (LDI)-Flowmetry in their value to further elucidate functional behavior of the "Vibration-induced white finger syndrome" (VWF) and to distinguish between Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) of idiopathic or vibration origin.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Ninety-four patients, suffering from RP were studied (78 patients with primary RP and 16 patients with VWF). Measurement of blood cell velocity (BCV) before and after provocation was obtained by nailfold capillary microscopy and an included Laser detector ("Anemometry"). Digital blood flux was recorded by LDI-Flowmetry during a standardized cooling and rewarming thermal challenge.

RESULTS

"Time to peak" of BCV, a measure of maximal reactive hyperemia was longer in VWF in comparison to primary RP (30.37 versus 19.29 sec P < 0.02), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Based on the fact, that prolongation of reactive hyperemia, an indicator of impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation is also frequently found in peripheral arterial occlusive disease, it is hypothesized that VWF is not only a microcirculatory vasospastic disorder, but may also be related to atherosclerosis. Anemometry, in association with an appropriate provocation-test, could represent a useful non-invasive method for objectifying diagnosis of VWF in patients with RP.