Presentation Format: Oral presentation.
Purpose or Learning Objective: To investigate the role of spectral analysis performed with ultrahigh-resolution
ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of the peripheral vascular bed in patients
with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Methods or Background: US examinations were performed in both hands of 33 patients with SSc and 34 healthy
controls. We performed Doppler spectral analysis of the second interdigital artery
on both hands. The proximal resistive index (pRI) and the peak systolic velocity (PV)
were calculated, orienting a 18–5 MHz transducer along the long axis of the vessel
on the palmar aspect of the third interdigital space. Distal resistive index (dRI)
was calculated performing Doppler spectral analysis at the level of a nailfold arteriole
of the third finger using a 33–9 MHz probe. For this latter purpose we employed a
proprietary technology based on Doppler technology and integrated within the US system
(Superb Microvascular Imaging) that allows visualization and sampling of microvascular
flows.
Results or Findings: Compared with controls, we found significant differences in patients’ PV and dRI,
whereas we did not observe any change when we compared pRI. Patients showed lower
PV: patients: PV mean = 8.38 (standard deviation [SD] = 3) cm/s; controls: PV mean = 11.14
(SD = 4.5) cm/s; p = 0.005, and higher dRI: patients: dRI mean = 0.65 (SD = 0.14); controls: dRI mean = 0.57
(SD = 0.11); p = 0.0115.
Conclusion: US spectral analysis is able to detect the disease-related variation in distal flow
parameters in SSc patients. However, further studies with larger series are needed
to validate the use of high-resolution US in the investigation of SSc peripheral vasculopathy.
