Exaggerated vasoconstriction in complex regional pain syndrome-1 is associated with impaired resistance artery endothelial function and local vascular reflexes.

Objective: Local regulatory mechanisms and microvascular function play a major role in the pathogenesis of hemodynamic and trophic changes in patients with complex regional pain syndrome-1 (CRPS). Venoarteriolar and venoarteriolar-myogenic reflexes (VAR, VMR, respectively) as well as endothelial-dependent vasodilatation are important contributors to local vasoregulation. We examined whether VAR and VMR as well as resistance artery endothelial function are damaged in affected limbs of patients with CRPS.