The micro-circulation in systemic sclerosis.

Damage to the micro-circulation forms a fundamental part of systemic sclerosis (SS) and may be responsible not only for the various vascular features of the disease but also for the connective tissue changes. Figure 1 suggests a possible mechanism integrating these various microvascular changes. Various parts of this scheme may be amenable to therapeutic intervention particularly if undertaken before irreversible vascular damage has occurred. Studies are in progress examining various ways of treating the microvascular disease, examining their effects on the vascular problems and on the progress of the disease.