The relationship of left ventricular mass to endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery in patients with hypertension.

Although echocardiographically determined left ventricular mass and geometry predict cardiovascular morbid events in patients with hypertension, the mechanisms underlying this relation are unclear. There is considerable evidence that endothelium-dependent vasodilation is impaired in patients with hypertension. Thus, endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the mechanism that causes cardiovascular morbid events. This study was designed to examine the relationship between left ventricular geometry and endothelial function in patients with hypertension. The percentage increase in brachial arterial diameter during reactive hyperemia was examined by a high-resolution ultrasound technique in 49 patients with hypertension and 64 normotensive subjects. Patients with hypertension had an impairment of the percentage increase in brachial arterial diameter during reactive hyperemia and an increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) compared to normotensive subjects (percentage increase in diameter 5.6 +/- 3.0 vs. 8.0 +/- 2.5%, p < 0.001; TBARS levels 6.1 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.0 nmol/ml, p < 0.001). In patients with hypertension, there was a significant correlation between the left ventricular mass index and the percentage increase in brachial arterial diameter during reactive hyperemia (r = -0.583, p < 0.001), and the percentage increase in brachial arterial diameter during reactive hyperemia varied with the pattern of left ventricular geometry (normal ventricular geometry: 7.7 +/- 2.6%; concentric remodeling: 5.2 +/- 2.3%; eccentric hypertrophy: 4.2 +/- 1.8%; concentric hypertrophy: 2.9 +/- 2.6%). We conclude that (1) flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the brachial artery is impaired in patients with hypertension, (2) a relationship exists between the left ventricular mass index and flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the brachial artery in patients with hypertension and (3) increased oxidative stress may play a role in the endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypertension.     

Endothelial function, carotid artery intima-media thickness, epicardial adipose tissue, and left ventricular mass and function in growth hormone-deficient adolescents: apparent effects of growth hormone treatment on these parameters

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether GH-deficient (GHD) adolescents have abnormalities of cardiac and vascular function detectable during the teenage years. DESIGN/METHODS: Ten GHD children on GH treatment with a chronological age (CA) of 14.6 +/- 1.7 yr and 12 untreated GHD adolescents with a CA of 15.0 +/- 3.0 yr were studied. Cardiac mass and function, carotid artery intima-media thickness, flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (percent change from baseline diameter during hyperemia), and hyperemia-induced blood flow increase of the brachial artery (percent change from baseline) and epicardial adipose tissue were evaluated by echocardiography. Fourteen healthy adolescents served as controls. RESULTS: Untreated GHD adolescents present with a reduced left ventricular mass when compared with controls (P < 0.05) and a lower flow-mediated endothelium-dependent increase in the diameter of the brachial artery during hyperemia than both controls and treated GHD subjects (P < 0.02), whereas their epicardial adipose tissue is significantly higher than that of healthy controls (P < 0.02). Interventricular septum thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular ejection fraction, and carotid artery intima-media thickness were similar in all three groups. Hyperemia-induced blood flow increase was greater in treated GHD adolescents than both untreated subjects and controls (P < 0.001). Body mass index correlated positively with epicardial adipose tissue in all three groups and with carotid intima-media thickness in treated and untreated GHD adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: GHD adolescents have a reduced left ventricular mass and vascular abnormalities manifested by lower flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation. These findings together with an increase in epicardial adipose tissue, a good indicator of abdominal/visceral fat, may contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk in the long term. An improvement in endothelial function and a reduction in arterial stiffness appear to occur after GH replacement.     

Correlation between flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery and intima-media thickness in the carotid artery in men

Endothelial dysfunction has been reported to be the initial step in atherosclerosis. A noninvasive technique that uses ultrasound to measure the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery has been applied to evaluate localized atherosclerosis. This study was undertaken to elucidate whether endothelial dysfunction in the brachial artery is related to the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery. Thirty-four men with atherosclerosis (mean+/-SE age 61+/-2 years) and 33 age-matched men without clinical atherosclerosis were examined. The intima-media thickness and plaque formation of the common carotid artery were assessed by B-mode ultrasonography. We also noninvasively measured brachial artery diameter by the same ultrasound machine when the subjects were at rest, during reactive hyperemia, which causes endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, and after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin, which causes endothelium-independent vasodilatation. The atherosclerosis group had a significantly greater intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery than did the control group (1. 02+/-0.04 versus 0.91+/-0.03 mm, P<0.05). The flow-mediated diameter (FMD) increase (percent FMD=DeltaD/D x 100) in the atherosclerosis group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (2. 8+/-0.4% versus 5.1+/-0.6%, P<0.01). A significant negative correlation between the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and percent FMD was found in all of the subjects. On multiple regression analysis, percent FMD showed a significant negative correlation with the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. These findings support the concept that endothelial dysfunction is significantly related to atherogenesis.     

Flow-dependent vasomotor dysfunction of the popliteal artery related to common carotid artery intima-media thickness

This study was designed to assess a possible correlation between flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the popliteal artery and the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery. Impaired vasodilation is one of early markers of atherosclerosis that has not been studied on the popliteal artery. An increase in intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery is also considered to be an indication of early stages of atherosclerosis. With use of ultrasound, the diameter of the popliteal artery was measured at rest and during reactive hyperemia after 5-minute arterial occlusion. Subsequently, the intima-media thickness was measured in left common carotid arteries in 27 patients with hyperlipidemia, in 10 patients with confirmed coronary artery disease, and in 20 healthy individuals. In healthy individuals, popliteal artery diameter increased by mean of 6.6 +/- 3.5% (p < 0.01) in relation to hyperemia. In patients with hyperlipidemia before therapy and in patients with coronary disease, no increase in diameter occurred (mean, 0.44% and -1.6%, respectively). The difference between healthy individuals and patients was statistically significant at p < 0.001. The popliteal artery seems to respond similarly to the brachial artery. When comparing the change in popliteal artery diameter and intima-media thickness of common carotid arteries, a strong negative correlation (r = -0.5713, p < 0.001) was observed in all subjects.     

高血压前期颈动脉内-中膜厚度及血管内皮舒张功能的变化

目的探索高血压前期外周动脉血管粥样硬化和血管内皮功能的改变。方法检测颈动脉内-中膜厚度（IMT）和肱动脉内皮舒张功能。结果高血压前期组颈动脉分叉、颈总动脉处内-中膜厚度均较正常血压组增厚（P〈0．05）;高血压前期组反应性充血后肱动脉内径变化率（FMD）显著低于正常血压组（P〈0．05）;含服硝酸甘油后肱动脉内径FMD高血压前期组与正常血压组无明显差异（P〉0．05）。结论高血压前期已存在颈动脉内-中膜增厚,血管内皮功能已经受损。     

Intima-media complex of both the brachial artery and the common carotid artery are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with previous myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES: Prospective trials have established intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and cardiac left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as predictors of cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between intima-media complex of the brachial artery to FMD, intima-media complex of the common carotid artery and cardiac hypertrophy in patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Cross-sectional design. Procedures were undertaken within the Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. A total of 123 patients with a previous acute myocardial infarction (MI) were investigated. Calculated intima-media area (cIMa) of the brachial and common carotid arteries and FMD of the brachial artery and left ventricular dimensions were examined. RESULTS: The brachial cIMa was significantly associated with age, p-triglycerides, common carotid cIMa, ejection fraction, septum thickness, posterior wall thickness and left ventricular mass index (P < 0.05). Brachial cIMa also tended to be associated with systolic blood pressure (P = 0.056). Common carotid cIMa was significantly associated with age, systolic blood pressure, brachial cIMa, FMD and septum thickness (P < 0.05). FMD was significantly associated with age and carotid cIMa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both cIMa of the common carotid artery and the cIMa of the brachial artery were independently and significantly associated with ventricular septum thickness of the heart in patients with previous myocardial infarction.     

Effect of Aging on Human Circulatory System in Normotensive Healthy Subjects

Aging is associated with degenerative changes in cardiac and endothelial function (EF). This study was done to assess whether age-related changes take place on EF, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), blood pressure (BP), and echocardiographic measurements. All volunteers were healthy normotensive healthy subjects. They were divided into three groups. Group 1, young adults: < 40 years old; Group 2, middle age: between 40 and 60 years old; Group 3, elderly: > 60 years old. High-frequency vascular ultrasound was used to assess the baseline brachial artery dimension and flow velocity after reactive hyperemia. The carotid IMT and echocardiographic measurements including Doppler variables were recorded in all subjects. Systolic BP, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular end-diastolic volume increased progressively with age (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction decreased progressively with age (male, p = 0.034; female, p = 0.001); E/A ratio of the left ventricular flow spectrum declined with age (p < 0.001). The ultrasonic EF variables of flow increased during reactive hyperemia and IMT increased with age (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrates that BP, body weight, and ultrasonic variables changed significantly with age. The aging-associated changes provide insight into progression to atherosclerosis.     

Cardiovascular function in normotensive offspring of persons with essential hypertension and black race

Prior investigations have shown impaired endothelial function in hypertensive blacks when compared with whites. It is not clear, however, whether the difference in vascular responsiveness predates or follows the development of hypertension. Thirty-nine young black adults with a family history of essential hypertension and 41 control participants were studied for brachial artery reactivity and carotid intima-media thickness via ultrasonography, cardiac muscle mass and diastolic function by echocardiography, and biochemical analysis. There was no significant difference in brachial artery reactivity between the study groups, although women had greater reactivity than men (P=.05). Carotid intima-media thickness, left ventricular geometry, and biomarkers were equivalent between the study groups (P=not significant). Vascular imaging and biomarkers were unable to identify early evidence of endothelial dysfunction in offspring of African Americans with essential hypertension. These same studies demonstrated some early changes in vascular function based on sex.     

高频超声检测脑梗死与短暂性脑缺血发作患者血管内皮功能的探讨

目的:研究脑梗死、短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度、血管弹性与肱动脉血管内皮功能.方法:研究对象分为3组:脑梗死患者、TIA患者、正常同龄人,每组各30例.用高频超声测量颈动脉内-中膜厚度、收缩期颈动脉内径(DS)、舒张期颈动脉内径(DD),计算颈总动脉壁弹性的相关参数:可扩张度(DC)、顺应性(CC)...     

Structural Changes in the Cardiovascular System of Untreated Essential Hypertensives

Arterial hypertension is associated with structural changes in the cardiovascular system. This study has examined the effect of hypertension on the carotid artery wall and examined the relation between changes in the structure of carotid artery wall and left ventricle in untreated hypertensives. The carotid artery wall was visualized using a high resolution ultrasound technique in 37 untreated hypertensive patients (25 males, 12 females) and 37 age and sex matched normotensive individuals and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery diameter measured. IMT and intima-media cross sectional area was significantly greater in the hypertensive group compared with the normotensive group, though the carotid artery diameter did not differ significantly. There was a significant association between age and IMT in both groups. In the hypertensive group there was also a significant association between left ventricular mass index, ventricular septal or posterior wall thickness and IMT. This study indicates that there is an association between cardiac and carotid arterial structure in hypertension. Such a relationship may be important in understanding the associated risks of high blood pressure.     

Arterial Wall Changes in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

Arterial ultrasonic appearances using high resolution ultrasound were studied in 97 subjects with Type 2 diabetes and age- and sex-matched controls. The intima-media thickness of both common carotid arteries was measured 2 cm proximal to the bifurcation and the presence or absence of plaque on both common and femoral bifurcations was recorded. The mean intima-media thickness in subjects with diabetes was 0.82 ± 0.22 mm while in the controls 0.66 ± 0.13 mm (p < 0.001). Multiple regression in diabetic subjects only showed no correlation between age, sex, body mass index, smoking, duration of diabetes, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, HbA, and the common carotid artery intima-media thickness. Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased intima-media thickness which has been found to be a marker of cardiovascular events in the general population.     

Interrelationship between noninvasive predictors of atherosclerosis: transthoracic coronary flow reserve, flow-mediated dilation, carotid intima-media thickness, aortic stiffness, aortic distensibility, elastic modulus, and brachial artery diameter

BACKGROUND: In this study, we searched for a correlation between transthoracic coronary flow reserve (CFR) and well-established surrogates of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: The study was conducted on 136 healthy subjects (mean age: 39.9 +/- 7.3 years) who were free of coronary risk factors. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure the aortic stiffness index (AoSI), aortic distensibility (AoD), and aortic elastic modulus (AoEM). High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure brachial artery endothelium-dependent and independent vasomotion and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). In addition, transthoracic second harmonic Doppler echocardiography was used to measure CFR. RESULTS: All of the parameters significantly correlated with each other except brachial endothelium-independent dilation. CFR correlated significantly with brachial endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) (r = 0.302, P < 0.01), carotid IMT (r =-0.388, P < 0.01), brachial artery diameter (r = 0.340, P < 0.01), AoD (r = 0.275, P < 0.01), AoS (r =-0.299, P < 0.01), and AoEM (r =-0.30,7 P < 0.01). Carotid IMT correlated significantly with brachial EDD and modestly with brachial artery diameter, AoD, AoS, and AoEM.In multivariate analysis, carotid IMT (beta=-0.323, P < 0.0001) and brachial artery diameter (beta = -0.259, P = 0.001) were significant independent predictors of CFR. The left ventricular mass index (beta= 0.371, P < 0.0001), brachial EDD (beta = -0.232, P = 0.002), and CFR (beta = -0.228, P = 0.003) were significant predictors for IMT. CONCLUSION: Transthoracic CFR correlated significantly with well-established noninvasive predictors of atherosclerosis, and we suggest that it can be used as a surrogate for coronary atherosclerosis.     

原发性高血压患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度与左室肥厚的相关性

目的:探讨原发性高血压(EH)患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)与左室肥厚的相关性。方法:对60例EH患者(EH组)和20例健康者(对照组)行心脏及颈动脉超声检查,分别测量左室质量指数(LVMI)、颈动脉IMT及斑块。结果:与对照组相比,EH组颈动脉IMT、LVMI、斑块检出率均明显增高(P<0.05),EH组LVMI增高者的以上指标又均高于LVMI正常者(P<0.05);LVMI与颈动脉IMT呈正相关。结论:EH患者颈动脉IMT增加,与左室肥厚密切相关。     

Increased arterial intima-media thickness and in vivo LDL oxidation in young men with borderline hypertension

We used borderline hypertension as a model for prehypertension to examine the early influences of elevated blood pressure on subclinical atherosclerosis, lipoprotein oxidation, and cardiac adaptation. Healthy men (age 37+/-4 years) were classified prospectively into 2 groups on the basis of having either borderline hypertension (systolic 130 to 140 mm Hg or diastolic 85 to 89 mm Hg, n=16) or normal (<130/85 mm Hg, n=22) blood pressure values during the previous 2 years. The groups were matched for age, body size, and serum cholesterol levels. High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid and brachial arteries, cardiac dimensions, and brachial artery endothelial function. Baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-diene conjugation was measured as an estimate of in vivo LDL oxidation (ox-LDL). Compared with normotensive controls, men with borderline hypertension had higher IMT of the carotid artery (0.58+/-0.06 versus 0.75+/-0.07 mm, P<0.001) and IMT of the brachial artery (0.45+/-0.05 versus 0.57+/-0.07 mm, P<0.001), and increased levels of ox-LDL (29+/-9 versus 47+/-17 mol/L, P<0.001), but similar endothelial function. Left ventricular mass was similar in both groups, but there were significant differences in left ventricular geometry. In multivariate analyses, the predictors of carotid IMT were 24-hour systolic blood pressure (P<0.001) and ox-LDL (P=0.10). The current study demonstrates evidence of increased subclinical atherosclerosis and ox-LDL in borderline hypertension. These results are consistent with the idea that enhanced ox-LDL may be one of the pathophysiological events related to development of atherosclerosis in men with borderline elevated blood pressure.     

高分辨率超声检测代谢综合征患者血管内皮功能

为了研究代谢综合征患者的血管内皮功能及与心血管危险因素的相关性 ,采用高分辨率超声测定 2 1例正常对照者、35例代谢综合征患者的肱动脉反应性充血及含服硝酸甘油后的血管内经和血流量的变化。结果发现 ,两组间甘油三酯、空腹血糖、餐后 2h血糖、收缩压、舒张压和体质指数差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5或P <0 .0 1) ,而性别、年龄、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇差异均无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。两组间反应性充血后血管内径变化率、含服硝酸甘油后血管内径变化率和含服硝酸甘油后血流量变化率差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1或P <0 .0 5 ) ,而肱动脉基础内径、肱动脉基础血流量、反应性充血后血流量、含服硝酸甘油后血流量、反应性充血后血流量变化率差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。两组反应性充血后血管内径变化率较含服硝酸甘油后血管内径变化率降低 (P <0 .0 1)。反应性充血后血管内径变化率与患者年龄 (r=- 0 .2 9,P <0 .0 5 )、甘油三酯 (r=- 0 .38,P <0 .0 5 )、收缩压 (r=- 0 .71,P <0 .0 1)、舒张压 (r=- 0 .6 1,P <0 .0 1)、空腹血糖 (r =- 0 .6 2 ,P <0 .0 1)、餐后 2h血糖 (r=- 0 .6 6 ,P <0 .0 1)和体质指数 (r=- 0 .4 7,P <0 .0 1)呈负相关。结果提示 ,代谢综合征患者存在血管内皮依     

Noninvasive detection of vascular dysfunction in alcoholic patients

Vasodilation is impaired in various conditions, such as hypercholesterolemia and tobacco use. We evaluated brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) after blood pressure (BP) cuff occlusion using high-resolution B-mode ultrasound in 20 alcoholics, without any coexisting conditions such as smoking, hypertension, or cholesterolemia, after a 3-month period of abstinence. They were compared with a control group of 20 alcohol-free healthy subjects. We measured the diameter of the brachial artery under baseline conditions, during reactive hyperemia (with increased flow causing endothelium-dependent dilatation), and after administration of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), an endothelium-independent dilator. We performed an echocardiographic study (Esaote Au3) according to guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography to assess left ventricular mass (LVM), wall thickness, systolic stress, and diastolic function changes. FMD (% diameter change) was significantly less in the alcoholic patients than in the controls (6.03 ± 3.67 v 13.7 ± 4.65; P < .05), whereas no difference was noted after GTN administration (13.7 ± 7.97 v 16.0 ± 5.12, P = NS). Echocardiographic study showed no differences between the study group for LVM, wall thickness, and systolic stress; diastolic function expressed as E/A ratio inversion was significantly impaired. These data demonstrate an impairment of endothelial-dependent vasodilatation in chronic alcohol abusers, which may contribute to the excess prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in these individuals.     

Non-invasive evaluation of endothelial function in hypertensive elderly patients

Impaired endothelium-dependent vasomotion is a diffuse disease process resulting in abnormal regulation of blood vessel tone and loss of several atheroprotective effects of the normal endothelium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aging and hypertension on endothelial function. Sixty-six geriatric subjects with ages over 60 (48 hypertensive and 18 healthy) and 40 middle-aged subjects (16 hypertensive and 24 healthy) were included in the study. Systemic vascular endothelial function was evaluated through measuring brachial arterial vasodilation, a physiologic answer to reactive hyperemia occured with increased blood flow in the vessel after transient ischemia (flow-mediated dilation, FMD%), and with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement, using high-resolution ultrasonography. Endothelial independent vasodilation was also measured after administration of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (isosorbide dinitrate mediated dilation, IDNMD%). FMD% was significantly decreased in elderly and/or hypertensive (HT) patients (geriatric HT: 9.5 +/- 4.7%, geriatric non-HT: 12.7 +/- 5.5%, middle-aged HT: 12.9 +/- 4.3% and middle-aged non-HT: 18.9 +/- 8.1%) (geriatric HT versus geriatric non-HT (P = 0.02), geriatric HT versus middle-aged HT (P = 0.01), geriatric non-HT versus middle-aged non-HT (P = 0.008)). Both FMD% and IDNMD% were inversely correlated with age, baseline vessel diameter and carotid artery intima-media thickness. FMD% was also inversely correlated with diastolic blood pressure. No correlation was found between FMD% and systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Endothelium dependent (EDD) and independent dilatation of large arteries decreased with aging even in the healthy elderly, and FMD further declined in HT elderly patients, indicating that age and hypertension independently impair endothelial function. Positive correlations with age and hypertension, and significant inverse correlation with FMD, makes carotid artery IMT a possible indicator of endothelial function.     

颈动脉内中膜厚度与脉搏波传导速度及踝臂指数的相关性研究

目的:前瞻性研究颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)与脉搏波传导速度(PWV)及臂踝血压指数(ABI)的相关性。方法:在115例(女61)人群资料中用超声测量颈IMT,用日本科林动脉硬化测定仪测量臂踝PWV和臂踝ABI,同时测定血TC、TG、HDL、LDL、空腹血糖(FBG)、血尿酸(UA)、体质指数(BMI)等,作均数比较、t检验,IMT与各因素的简单相关分析、多元线性回归分析(进入法和逐步法)。结果:115例受检者颈IMT平均值为:(0.64±0.11)mm,男性颈动脉IMT明显高于女性,年龄≥50岁组的颈动脉IMT明显高于年龄<50岁组的,收缩压≥140mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)组的颈动脉IMT明显高于收缩压<140mmHg组的,有高血压病史组的颈动脉IMT明显高于无高血压病史组的。颈动脉IMT主要与年龄、臂踝PWV、收缩压、ABI等正相关,相关系数分别达0.625、0.460、0.412、0.361。多元回归分析,对颈动脉IMT有独立影响的因素是年龄、SBP。结论:颈动脉IMT与臂踝PWV、ABI高度正相关,在临床工作中可根据各自条件选择一种检查方法用于血管早期病变的检测。     

Cardiac and vascular consequences of pre-hypertension in youth

Hypertension is associated with increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), which predict cardiovascular (CV) events in adults. Whether target organ damage is found in pre-hypertensive youth is not known. The authors measured body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, lipids and C-reactive protein, LVM/height(2.7) (LVM index), diastolic function, cIMT, carotid stiffness, augmentation index, brachial artery distensibility, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 723 patients aged 10 to 23 years (29% with type 2 diabetes mellitus). Patients were stratified by blood pressure level (normotensive: 531, pre-hypertensive: 65, hypertensive: 127). Adiposity and CV risk factors worsened across blood pressure group. There was a graded increase in cIMT, arterial stiffness, and LVM index and decrease in diastolic function from normotension to pre-hypertension to hypertension. In multivariable models adjusted for CV risk factors, status as pre-hypertension or hypertension remained an independent determinant of target organ damage for LVM, diastolic function, internal cIMT, and carotid and arterial stiffness. Pre-hypertension is associated with cardiovascular target organ damage in adolescents and young adults.     

应用超声血管反应性充血法评价血管内皮功能

目的探讨应用超声血管反应性充血法评估血管内皮舒张功能的可行性和可靠性。方法 12名中青年健康体检者(健康对照组)和10例中青年心肌梗死患者(心肌梗死组)接受肱动脉超声检查,比较两组肱动脉反应性充血前后血管内径及血流量变化百分率。结果肱动脉基础内径及基础血流量两组间比较差异无统计学意义。反应性充血后血管内径变化百分率健康对照组显著高于心肌梗死组(13.6%±6.6%比7.2%±2.3%,P<0.05),反应性充血后血流量变化百分率健康对照组显著高于心肌梗死组(398.6%±150.4%比283.8%±146.3%,P<0.05)。结论肱动脉超声检查间接评价血管内皮功能,测定准确、操作简便、无创性、可重复检测且可提供动脉壁的解剖学图像。