Hemorrheology and neurovascular syndromes of the extremities

: The hemorheological factors of subjects affected by Raynaud's syndrome, by sclerodermia and by acrocyanosis have been compared with those of normal control subjects. The patients with Raynaud's syndrome and those with acrocyanosis, besides the phenomenon of critical ischemia, do not show any significant hemorheological difference in comparison with normal control subjects. In patients suffering from Raynaud's syndrome secondary to sclerodermic disease, an increased blood viscosity due to plasma hyperviscosity secondary to increased plasma fibrinogen levels, an increased erythrocyte aggregation and a reduced red blood cell filterability have been observed.