Nailfold capillaroscopy reveals early peripheral microcirculation abnormalities in children affected by heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Background: nailfold capillaroscopy (NCF) is a non-invasive imaging technique to seek peripheral microcirculation abnormalities in children and adults. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder caused by mutations capable of increasing blood levels of low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), thus triggering early atherosclerosis. The study aims at evaluating peripheral microcirculation in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) by means of NFC in comparison with healthy peers and at searching for possible correlations between these abnormalities and patients' lipid panel. Methods: thirty-six HeFH patients were enrolled (13 males and 23 females. Mean age 8 +/- 3 years; age range 3-13 years). They had increased levels of total cholesterol (237.9 +/- 34.2 mg/dl) and LDL-C (154.2 +/- 37.6 mg/dl). Both values were =95th gender and age specific centile. All the subjects in the study underwent NFC. Results: In 69.4 % of HeFH children nailfold capillaries were tortuous (p < 0.00001 compared to healthy controls). In 41.6 % the number of capillaries was markedly reduced (<7 capillaries/mm). The mean number of capillaries was 8.4 +/- 2.6/mm in HeFH and 12.2 +/- 1.4/mm in healthy controls (p < 0.00001). In 100 % of the sample size capillary blood flow was slowed down (p < 0.00001). In 50 % of the sample size a blood "sludge" phenomenon was seen (p < 0.00001). No gender differences were detected. Sludge phenomenon was seen only in those with LDL-C over 99th centile (p < 0.00001). Conclusion: NCF allows the identification of an early peripheral microvascular dysfunction in HeFH children which is similar to that already seen in atherosclerotic disease. Prompt identification of these capillary abnormalities may be crucial in implementing early prevention measures.