Capillaroscopy and the Measurement of Capillary Pressure

Overview

Journal Br J Clin Pharmacol

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2001 Jan 3

PMID 11136289

Citations 45

Authors

A C Shore

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Capillaries play a critical role in cardiovascular function as the point of exchange of nutrients and waste products between the tissues and circulation. Studies of capillary function in man are limited by access to the vascular bed. However, skin capillaries can readily be studied by the technique of capillaroscopy which enables the investigator to assess morphology, density and blood flow velocity. It is also possible to estimate capillary pressure by direct cannulation using glass micropipettes. This review will describe the techniques used to make these assessments and will outline some of the changes that are seen in health and disease.

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