Finger skin perfusion pressure in generalized scleroderma.

Skin perfusion pressure in fingers in 6 normal persons and 12 patients suffering from generalized scleroderma was estimated as the minimum external counterpressure required to stop 133Xenon wash-out. The isotope was introduced atraumatically into the skin, and local counter-pressure was exerted by a miniature blood pressure cuff. Local perfusion blood pressure in normal fingers was 100.5 mmHg +/- 3.3 SEM, while in the patients the value was 72.5 mmHg 1.8 SEM (p less than 0.001).