[Peri-ungual capillaroscopy in atherosclerosis].

: The pathology of the major vessels also affects microcirculation, making possible to evaluate at the distal sector the consequences of an ischaemia, due to an artery disease, for instance. This work had as its main aim to evaluate by peri-ungueal capillaroscopy (PUC) the lesions due to an atherosclerotic process and the prognosis and/or diagnosis value of this exam. We studied 210 patients with either risk factors for atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic disease, who were divided into groups according to the severity of the lesions seen in PUC. Finally, we were able to conclude that although the capillaroscopic lesions found are not specific, they appear very early in the process and are more serious in the more severe cases.