Diagnostic investigation using vital capillary microscopy and dynamic capillaroscopy.

The procedure for studying skin capillaries using vital capillary microscopy is described. Capillary changes take place in patients with reduced arterial circulation, and these are examined in the lower and upper (nailfold) extremity. Dynamic capillaroscopy is a technique for measuring capillary blood cell velocity. The calculation can be performed simply using a computerized system and serves as a useful diagnostic tool in the study of nailfold capillaries. These investigations are applicable in the context of increased prevalence of macro- and microangiopathy associated with diabetes mellitus.