Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a complex clinical entity which is still little understood pathophysiologically. Unless it is in the intractable state it responds well to therapy. It has been known for many years that the peripheral circulation can be dramatically altered when CHF is progressively and rapidly developing and worsening. As compensation develops, these changes gradu ally return to normal. We have long been studying the digital circulation of patients with CHF and have been impressed with the changes in the behavior of the peripheral blood vessels in these patients.
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