Cutaneous microcirculation reactivity in patients with arterial hypertension, taking into account intake of anti-hypertensive drugs

Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the reactivity of the cutaneous microcirculation in patients with arterial hypertension (AH), taking into account the intake of anti-hypertensive drugs, using laser doppler flowometry (LDF) and the post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) test. Materials and method. The analysis included 44 patients with well-controlled AH, and 22 subjectively healthy volunteers aged 23 – 74 years, matched with the study group. During the study period, 22 patients in the study group were taking ACEI drugs, also in combination with other drug groups in terms of gender and age. 19 patients were taking other groups of drugs, including: ARB, beta-blockers, alpha-blockers, CCB, diuretics, also in combination, while 3 patients were not taking medication for AH; they were recommended non-pharmacological treatment. Blood biochemical tests, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and PORH test using LDF were performed. Results. The study showed that the PORH flow parameters were not differ statistically significantly between the study and control groups (p> 0.05). Statistically significant differences were shown in the PORH maximum level (ML) on the skin forearm between the study group not taking ACEI drugs and the control group. No statistically significant differences were shown between the study group taking ACEI and the control group. Conclusions. The pathogenesis of AH is multifactorial and depends, inter alia, on disturbances at the level of microcirculation. Proper treatment, especially with the use of ACEI, can improve the microcirculation in AH patients.