Raynaud's syndrome (types, etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, therapy)

1. Big picture

Raynaud’s syndrome is an episodic vasospastic disorder of the small arteries and arterioles, usually affecting the fingers and toes. It is triggered mainly by cold exposure or emotional stress and causes a typical color change:

white → blue → red ischemia → deoxygenation → reperfusion

For the exam, the most important task is to decide:

Is it primary benign Raynaud disease, or secondary Raynaud syndrome caused by systemic autoimmune disease, especially systemic sclerosis?

Secondary Raynaud is dangerous because it can progress to digital ulcers, ischemia, gangrene, and systemic organ involvement.

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