Observation on nailfold microcirculation in patients with acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the relationship between acute pancreatitis and changes of nailfold microcirculation and to evaluate the significance of changes in nailfold microcirculation for judgment of the severity of acute pancreatitis and clinical outcome.Methods Altogether 16 indices including patterns of nailfold microcirculation,dynamics of micro-blood flow and loop status had been observed in 69 patients with acute pancreatitis and 30 normal controls.The results of observation were analyzed by using a microcirculatory image processing software.Results Dysfunction in nailfold microcirculation was found in 66.7% of patients with acute pancreatitis.17.40% of these positive cases were severely abnormal,23.91% of them were moderately abnormal,and 58.70% were mildly abnormal.There was significant difference between trial group and controls(P0.05).Conclusion Microcirculatory dysfunction is related to the pathogenesis and development of acute pancreatitis.This study suggested that improvement of microcirculation in early clinical course will be beneficial to the treatment of acute pancreatitis.