Reactivity of skin microcirculation as a biomarker of cardiovascular events. Pilot study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Glazkova, P.A.^{a; *} | Kulikov, D.A.^{a; b} | Glazkov, A.A.^a | Terpigorev, S.A.^a | Rogatkin, D.A.^a | Shekhyan, G.G.^a | Krasulina, K.A.^a | Kulikov, A.V.^c | Makmatov-Rys, M.B.^a | Paleev, F.N.^d

Affiliations: [a] Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute (“MONIKI”), Moscow, Russian Federation | [b] Moscow Region State University, Mytishchi, Russian Federation | [c] Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russian Federation | [d] National medical research center of cardiology of the Ministry of healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russian Federation

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Polina Glazkova, Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute (“MONIKI”), 61/2 Shchepkina street, 129110 Moscow, Russian Federation. Tel.: +791 520 896 53; Fax: +749 568 189 84; E-mail: polinikul@mail.ru.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:The role of microcirculatory disorders is progressively being accepted in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of current study is to assess whether we can consider skin microcirculation disorders as a biomarker of cardiovascular events. METHODS:Group 1 consisted of healthy volunteers (n = 31); group 2 (n = 42) consisted of patients with diseases that increase the risk of cardiovascular events; group 3 (n = 39) included patients with the history of cardiovascular events. Skin microcirculation measurement was performed using laser Doppler flowmetry during the heating test. RESULTS:LDF parameters reflecting the rapid response of microcirculation to heating (“Slope 120 s” and “Slope 180 s”) significantly differed in three groups (p <  0.05). A decrease in the “Slope 180 s” parameter less than 0.5 PU/s is associated with cardiovascular events (sensitivity 69.2%, specificity 66.7%; the area under the ROC curve, 0.667; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.545–0.788, p = 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that “Slope 180 s≤0.5 PU/s” was significantly related to cardiovascular events (adjusted odds ratio = 3.9, p = 0.019, CI 95% 1.2–12). CONCLUSIONS:Reduced reactivity of the skin microcirculation may be useful as a biomarker of severe damage to the cardiovascular system and is promising as a risk factor for cardiovascular events.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, skin, microcirculation, laser-Doppler flowmetry, risk factors, diabetes mellitus, hypertension

DOI: 10.3233/CH-201016

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 78, no. 3, pp. 247-257, 2021