Flow-mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) at 460 nm is a non-invasive method for assessing dynamic changes in the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and microcirculation in forearm skin under varying conditions of tissue perfusion. Typically, fluorescence increases during ischaemia, but atypical cases show a temporary signal decrease instead of a constant increase. This study aimed to explore the clinical implications of atypical FMSF patterns in patients with newly diagnosed untreated hypertension. NADH fluorescence and pulse wave analysis were performed on 65 patients. Differences in peripheral and arterial pulse pressure profiles were examined based on FMSF curve courses. Patients with atypical curve courses had significantly (p < 0.05 or lower for all) higher heart rate, peripheral and central diastolic pressure, tension time index, central rate pressure product, shorter diastole duration, and reservoir pressure-time integral. Hypertensive patients with atypical FMSF signals had less advantageous blood pressure profiles. Although the underlying factors causing these symptoms are unknown, the atypical FMSF pattern may reflect increased sympathetic stimulation and vascular resistance. The visual assessment of the FMSF curve may have important clinical implications that deserve further investigation.
Keywords: arterial hypertension; flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF); ischaemia; pulse wave.