Endothelial function in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: Erectile dysfunction (ED) commonly coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or risk factors for atherosclerosis. Because the silent or documented atherosclerosis or vascular risk factors are very frequent, the possibility of endothelial dysfunction in ED patients is expected to be increased. Our aim was to evaluate the endothelial functions in patients with vasculogenic ED with vascular risk factors and compare them with age-matched non-ED patients or healthy controls. DESIGN: We studied 36 patients with presumed vasculogenic ED, 39 age-matched patients with similar risk factors without ED and 25 age-matched healthy controls without ED, known cardiovascular disease or risk factors. Erectile function was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) scores. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation (NMD) were measured. RESULTS: Baseline demographics were similar except the IIEF score and duration of diabetes in patients with ED. Brachial artery FMD and NMD were significantly reduced in patients with ED (3.2+/-3. vs. 6+/-4, p<0.0001 for FMD, 12.2+/-6 vs. 15.4+/-6 p=0.032 for NMD). In patients with similar risk factors but without ED, FMD was significantly lower but NMD were not different compared with healthy controls (6+/-4 vs. 10.2+/-3, p<0.0001 for FMD and 15.4+/-8 vs. 16.4+/-6, p=0.81). IIEF scores were weakly correlated with FMD (r=0.25, p=0.028) in patients with ED. There were significant correlations between FMD and NMD in patients with ED (r=0.46, p=0.05) and with risk factors (r=0.72, p<0.0001) but not in healthy controls (r=0.54, p=0.792). Vasculogenic ED patients have more markedly impaired endothelial and smooth muscle functions compared with patients with similar risk factors but no ED.     

经皮冠状动脉介入治疗对急性冠状动脉综合征患者内皮功能的影响

目的了解急性冠状动脉综合征患者的内皮功能及经皮冠状动脉介入治疗对内皮功能的影响。方法共入选120例急性冠状动脉综合征患者及30例正常对照者,采用高分辨率彩色多普勒超声仪,测定肱动脉内皮依赖性血流介导的血管舒张功能及非内皮依赖性硝酸甘油介导的血管舒张功能。急性冠状动脉综合征患者按有无接受经皮冠状动脉介入治疗分为两组,观察两组患者基线及3个月的内皮依赖性血流介导及非内皮依赖性硝酸甘油介导的血管舒张功能。结果急性冠状动脉综合征患者的内皮依赖性血流介导的血管舒张功能明显低于正常对照组(8.29±5.11比10.64±3.82,P=0.029),而两组间非内皮依赖性硝酸甘油介导的血管舒张功能无明显差别(20.37±9.29比18.41±5.83,P=0.226);经皮冠状动脉介入治疗组术后3个月的内皮依赖性血流介导的血管舒张功能较术前明显降低(5.26±7.20比7.86±5.51,P=0.037),而药物治疗组的内皮依赖性血流介导的血管舒张功能前后对比无明显变化(7.14±6.99比7.91±4.52,P=0.401);内皮依赖性血流介导的血管舒张功能在两组之间及各组治疗前后无统计学差别(P>0.05)。结论急性冠状动脉综合征患者存在内皮功能受损;经皮冠状动脉介入治疗进一步加重内皮功能障碍。     

铁蛋白、氧化低密度脂蛋白与2型糖尿病内皮依赖性血管舒张功能的关系

目的探索血清铁蛋白（SF）、氧化低密度脂蛋白（ox-LDL）与2型糖尿病（T2DM）早期血管内皮舒张功能的关系。方法选择50例无大血管并发症的T2DM患者（DM组）,34例年龄、性别相匹配健康个体作为对照（Nc）组。高分辨血管外超声法检测肱动脉血流介导的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能（FMD）和硝酸甘油介导的内皮非依赖性血管舒张功能（NMD）,检测ox-LDL、SF。结果与NC组比较,DM组SF、ox-LDL明显升高（P〈O．01）,而FMD、NMD明显下降（P〈0．01）。分别以FMD、NMD为因变量进行多元线性回归分析,提示SF、ox-LDL与FMD明显相关（P〈0．05）,而与NMD无明显相关（P〉0．05）。结论SF、ox-LDL在2型糖尿病早期可能参与了血管内皮依赖性舒张功能受损。     

Exaggerated exercise blood pressure is related to impaired endothelial vasodilator function

BACKGROUND: Persons with high normal blood pressure (BP) or mild hypertension who also have an exaggerated BP response to exercise are at risk for worsening hypertension. The mechanisms that explain this relationship are unknown. We examined the relationships of endothelial vasodilator function and of aortic stiffness with exercise BP. METHODS: Subjects were 38 men and 44 women, aged 55 to 75 years, with untreated high normal BP or mild hypertension but otherwise healthy. Exercise was performed on a treadmill. Endothelial vasodilator function was assessed as brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) during reactive hyperemia. Aortic stiffness was measured as pulse wave velocity (PWV). RESULTS: Among men, resting systolic BP explained 34% of the variance (P < .01) in maximal exercise systolic BP and FMD explained an additional 11% (P < .01); resting systolic BP explained 23% of the variance in maximal pulse pressure (PP) (P < .01), and FMD explained an additional 10% (P < .01). Among women, resting systolic BP was the only independent correlate of maximal systolic BP (R2 = 0.12, P < .03) and FMD correlated negatively with maximal PP (R2 = 0.12, P < .03). Among men, FMD was the only independent correlate of the difference between resting and maximal systolic BP (R2 = 0.20, P < .02). The FMD was the only independent correlate of the difference between resting and maximal PP among men (R2 = 0.17, P < .03) and among women (R2 = 0.12, P < .03). The PWV did not correlate with exercise BP responses. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that impaired endothelial vasodilator function may be a mechanism contributing to exercise hypertension and may also be one link between exaggerated exercise BP and worsening hypertension.     

Vasodilatory capacity and vascular structure in long-standing hypertension: a LIFE substudy. Losartan Intervention For Endpoint-Reduction in Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), which is considered a measure of endothelial function, has been found impaired in hypertension. However, it is unclear whether this impairment is explained solely by endothelial dysfunction, or whether it is associated with structural vascular changes and reduced vasodilatory capacity. METHODS: In 42 unmedicated patients with hypertension and electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, we measured the following: 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP), minimal forearm vascular resistance (MFVR) by plethysmography, intima-media cross-sectional area of the common carotid arteries (IMA), FMD, and nitroglycerin-induced dilatation (NID) in the brachial artery by ultrasound. RESULTS: We found that FMD was correlated positively with NID (r = 0.38, P < .05). However, FMD as well as NID correlated negatively to 24-h systolic BP (r = -0.41, P = .01 and r = -0.52, P = .001), IMA/height (r = -0.41, P < .01 and r = -0.53, P < .001) and MFVR(men) (r = -0.44, P < .05 and r = -0.42, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Low FMD as well as low NID were related in parallel to high systolic BP and to the severity of vascular changes in different vascular beds, suggesting that elevated BP load in hypertension induces parallel abnormalities in conduit artery structure and overall vasodilatory capacity. Therefore, the decrease in FMD observed in severe hypertension may be caused by endothelial dysfunction as well as by structural vascular changes, suggesting difficulties in interpreting FMD solely as a measure of endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.     

Type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilation, but impaired glucose metabolism is not; The Hoorn Study

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (DM2) and impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) are associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. Impaired endothelial synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) is an important feature of atherothrombosis and can be estimated from endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD). It is controversial whether or not FMD is impaired in DM2 and IGM. We investigated this issue in a population-based setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the study population (n = 650; 246 with normal glucose metabolism (NGM), 135 with IGM and 269 with DM2; mean age: 67.6 years), FMD and endothelium-independent nitroglycerine-mediated dilation (NMD) were ultrasonically estimated from the brachial artery and expressed as the absolute change in diameter in mm. The increase in diameter (mean +/- standard deviation) in NGM, IGM and DM2 was 0.19 +/- 0.15, 0.19 +/- 0.18 and 0.13 +/- 0.17 MD and 0.45 +/- 0.21, 0.43 +/- 0.24 and 0.45 +/- 0.25 for NMD. After adjustment for age, sex, baseline diameter and percentage increase in peak systolic velocity, DM2, as compared to NGM, remained associated with impaired FMD (regression coefficient beta (95%CI)) as compared to NGM, -0.06 mm (-0.09 to -0.03). IGM was not associated with impaired FMD (beta, 0.01 mm (-0.02 to 0.04)). Additional adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors did not alter these associations. Hyperglycemia or hyperinsulinemia explained 2% of the association between DM2 and FMD. NMD was not associated with glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that DM2 is independently associated with impaired FMD. Hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia contribute minimally to this association. Impaired FMD may therefore, in part, explain the increased cardiovascular disease risk in DM2, whereas the normal FMD in IGM suggests that other forms of endothelial dysfunction are important in explaining the increased cardiovascular disease risk in IGM.     

老年2型糖尿病患者肌少症与早期肾功能减退的关系

目的:探讨老年2型糖尿病患者肌少症与早期肾功能减退的关系。方法:回顾性病例对照研究,选取2018年7月至2019年7月在北京医院老年医学科就诊的60岁及以上2型糖尿病患者198例,根据CKD-EPI Cr-Cys公式计算的估计肾小球滤过率分为肾功能正常组(CKD 1期)63例和轻度肾功能减退组(CKD 2-...     

Endothelial function and biochemical vascular markers in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients: the effect of exercise training

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is associated with the presence of atherosclerosis. However, ED is also considered a sign of the early vascular changes preceding atherosclerosis. By measuring flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and circulating markers of endothelial function we sought to explore whether impaired endothelial function is already present in healthy subjects at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the impact of short-term lifestyle intervention (10 weeks endurance exercise) on the potentially primary defects of endothelial function. Twenty-nine healthy but insulin-resistant first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (33 +/- 5 years; body mass index, 26.3 +/- 1.6 kg/m2) were compared with 19 control subjects without a family history of diabetes mellitus (31 +/- 5 years; body mass index, 25.8 +/- 3.0 kg/m2). At baseline the von Willebrand factor was significantly increased in the relatives (P < .05). Furthermore, mannose-binding lectin (P = .06), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (P = .08), and osteoprotegerin (P = .08) tended to be increased in relatives. The following markers of endothelial function were comparable at baseline: FMD, C-reactive protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Exercise training resulted in a decrease in mannose-binding lectin (P = .02) and osteoprotegerin (P < .01) in relatives only, whereas other biochemical markers were unaffected in both groups. Moreover, the relatively high-intensity exercise training tended weakly to reduce FMD in the relatives (P = .15). In conclusion, healthy subjects predisposed for type 2 diabetes mellitus show only minor signs of endothelial dysfunction. Under these almost normal vascular conditions, exercise training has little effect on endothelial function.     

Endothelial dysfunction precedes atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis--relevance for prevention of vascular complications

OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) includes vasculopathy with endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), as well as endothelium-independent, nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the brachial artery and to assess common carotid intimal-medial thickness (ccIMT) in SSc patients compared with healthy controls. METHODS: FMD and NMD of the brachial artery were determined using high-resolution ultrasound imaging and the values were expressed as percentage change from baseline in 29 SSc patients and 29 healthy controls. The two groups were very similar regarding sex, age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, common carotid arteries were assessed by duplex colour ultrasound, ccIMT determined using high resolution ultrasound and expressed in mm thickness in the same patients and controls. Correlations between FMD, NMD, ccIMT, age and the SSc subtype (diffuse or limited form) were analysed. RESULTS: In the 29 SSc patients (mean age: 51.8 yrs), the FMD was significantly lower (4.82 +/- 3.76%) in comparison with the controls (8.86 +/- 3.56%) (P < 0.001). No difference was found in NMD between patients (19.13 +/- 17.68%) and controls (13.13 +/- 10.40%) (P > 0.1). There was a tendency of increased ccIMT in SSc patients (0.67 +/- 0.26 mm) compared with healthy subjects (0.57 +/- 0.09), but this difference was not significant (P = 0.067). A significant, positive correlation between ccIMT and age in SSc (r = 0.470, P = 0.013) was detected, as well as in healthy controls (r = 0.61, P = 0.003), but no correlation was found between FMD and age. In addition, ccIMT, but not FMD and NMD, displayed significant correlation with disease duration (r = 0.472, P = 0.011). NMD displayed significant inverse correlation with the age in SSc patients (r = -0.492, P = 0.012), but not in controls. We did not find any correlation between FMD, NMD, ccIMT and SSc subtype. CONCLUSIONS: There is an impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation indicated by low FMD in SSc. At the same time, the endothelium-independent dilatation assessed by NMD is still preserved giving an opportunity of nitroglycerine therapy. Carotid atherosclerosis indicated by ccIMT may occur at higher ages and after longer disease duration. Thus, the assessment of FMD in the pre-atherosclerotic stage may have a beneficial diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic relevance.     

Predictors for erectile dysfunction among diabetics

This study aims to examine the predictors related to erectile dysfunction (ED) among Chinese diabetics. From 1995 to 1999, 327 men with diabetes mellitus (DM) were enrolled into this study. They completed face to face interview, professional psychogenic assessment, measurements of penile hemodynamic parameters and measurements of hormone levels. Complications of diabetes were obtained from hospital medical records. One hundred and twenty nine diabetics were diagnosed as ED. The associations between individual predictor and ED were accessed using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. We found that the risk of ED was significantly associated with age (adjusted odd ratios (OR) = 1.16, 95% confident intervals (CI): 1.10-1.38), duration of DM (adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.28-1.87), lower physical activity (adjusted OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.15-3.03), retinopathy (adjusted OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.89), neuropathy (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.54-3.06) and depression (adjusted OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.32-2.56). The study shows that diabetics with ED suffer more serious complications than those patients with non-ED. ED may act as a sentinel event for underlying complications among male diabetics.     

Studies on flow-mediated vasodilation and intima-media thickness of the brachial artery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

The endothelium is a newly recognized target organ of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and may contribute to its effects on vascular tone and blood pressure regulation. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), brachial and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were studied in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and controls to evaluate endothelial function and structural arterial vessel wall alterations. Sixteen patients with pHPT (mean +/- SEM, age 44 +/- 5 years; PTH 229 +/- 72 ng/L; serum calcium 3.0 +/- 0.06 mmol/L; serum phosphate 2.0 +/- 0.2 mg/L) and 16 normocalcemic control subjects matched for age, sex, and blood pressure were included. Diabetes, hypertension, and vascular disease were excluded in both groups. End-diastolic diameter, flow-mediated (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated (NMD) dilation of the brachial artery were measured by a multigate pulsed Doppler system (echo-tracking). IMT was determined using automatic analysis of the M-line signal. Endothelium-dependent FMD was impaired in patients compared to controls (4.6 +/- 1.6% v 19.2 +/- 3.9%, P < .001). NMD (23.8 +/- 3.1% v. 22.4 +/- 2.8%, P = NS), carotid and brachial IMT (0.60 +/- 0.04 mm v 0.64 +/- 0.06 mm, P = NS, and 0.46 +/- 0.04 mm v 0.47 +/- 0.08 mm, P = NS, respectively) and artery diameters were not different. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is impaired in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism despite normal IMT. Endothelial dysfunction may contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in pHPT.     

Effects of oral niacin on endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease: results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled INEF study

High-density-lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C) is invertedly related to the incidence of cardiovascular events. Recent studies suggest that HDL-C directly improves endothelial function. Nicotinic acid (niacin) effectively raises serum HDL-C. We therefore hypothesized that treatment with niacin improves endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). One hundred seven patients with CAD were randomly assigned to double-blinded treatment for 12 weeks with extended-release (ER)-niacin 1000 mg/day (N) or placebo (C), respectively. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, nitroglycerin-mediated endothelium-independent dilation (NMD) and serum lipid concentrations were measured before and after treatment. Triglycerides (P=0.013), low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (P=0.013) and HDL-C (P<0.0001) were altered by N compared to C. Niacin treatment was without effect on FMD or NMD, respectively, compared to placebo. However, post-hoc subgroup analysis revealed an improvement in FMD in patients with low HDL-C at baseline (absolute change in FMD (mean+/-S.D.) N: +3.25+/-3.88%, C: +1.03+/-2.71% in low tertile HDL-C 相似文献   

肱动脉内皮功能对老年冠心病患者的预测价值

目的 探讨肱动脉内皮功能对老年冠心病患者的预测价值.方法 测定98例冠心病患者及37例对照者肱动脉内皮依赖血管舒张功能(FMD)及非内皮依赖血管舒张功能(NMD),根据冠脉造影结果将患者分为冠脉病变＜50%,50%～75%,＞75%病变组和冠脉病变0、1、2、3支病变组,以比较老年冠心病患者冠脉病变程度、范围与肱动脉F...     

Hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. It affects many organs and systems besides muscle. Aim of this study was to assess frequency of erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypogonadism, the correlation between them and the impact of ED on quality of life (QoL) in patients with DM1. A series of 25 men (aged from 22 to 58 years) with a diagnosis of DM1 was analyzed. Muscular Impairment Rating Scale (MIRS) was used to assess severity of muscular involvement. Erectile function was assessed using the short form of the International Index of Erectile Function test (IIEF-5). Levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone were assessed. All patients completed the Serbian version of the SF-36 questionnaire as a measure of health-related QoL. ED was present in 18 (72%) of patients. Seven (28%) patients were euogonadic, 16 (64%) had compensated hypogonadism and 2 (8%) had primary hypogonadism. ED was somewhat more common in patients with hypogonadism (78% vs. 57%). Mental composite score of SF-36 was lower in patients with ED (p<0.05). Our results showed that 72% of men with DM1 had ED and hypogonadism. Studies with larger number of subjects are needed to resolve cascade of events that lays behind ED in DM1. Development of therapeutic strategies may have positive impact on QoL. Substitutive therapy with androgens may be benefitial.Key words: myotonic dystrophy type 1, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadisMyotonic dystrophy type 1 is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults with estimated prevalence of 1 to 35 patients on 100 000 inhabitants (1). It is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by expansion of unstable trinucleotide CTG repeats in DMPK gene on the long arm of the chromosome 19 (2). This mutation is responsible for premature aging of many organs and systems in DM1 (2). Endocrine disorders are common in DM1 (3). Hypogonadism is also described with affection of both interstitial and tubular gonadic function (4).Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as a persistent or recurrent inability to achieve and maintain a penile erection adequate for satisfactory sexual activity (5). It is reported that ED can be found among DM1 patients (6, 7), but there are not enough data about frequency and causes of this disorder. Also, effects of ED on personal and social life, as well as on quality of life (QoL) in DM1 men is still unclear.Aim of this study was to assess frequency of erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypogonadism, the correlation between them and the impact of ED on health-related QoL in patients with DM1.     

Relationships between cortisol level, mortality and chronic diseases in older persons

Context High cortisol level is known to be associated with osteoporosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), susceptibility to infections and depression and may protect against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Objective This study assesses the association between cortisol level, 6‐ to 7·5‐year mortality risk and prevalence of chronic diseases. Design/setting/participants Subjects were selected from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, an ongoing multidisciplinary cohort study in a general population of older persons (≥65 years). Serum cortisol was measured in 1181 men and women in 1995/1996 (second cycle) and salivary cortisol in 998 men and women in 2001/2002 (fourth cycle). Main outcome measures Six to seven and a half year mortality and prevalence of chronic diseases. Results Men with high salivary morning cortisol had a higher mortality risk than men with low levels [hazard ratio (HR) = 1·63, P = 0·04 for the third vs. the lowest tertile]. Women with high salivary evening cortisol had a higher mortality risk than women with low levels (HR = 1·82, P = 0·04 for the third vs. the lowest tertile). In men, high serum cortisol was independently associated with chronic nonspecific lung disease (CNSLD): odds ratio (OR) = 0·72, P < 0·01; hypertension: OR = 1·38, P < 0·01; DM: OR = 1·38, P = 0·02. In women, high salivary evening cortisol was independently associated with DM: OR = 1·33, P = 0·01 and CNSLD: OR = 0·58, P = 0·02. No independent association between cortisol and number of chronic diseases was found. Conclusion High salivary cortisol levels are associated with increased mortality risk in a general older population. High cortisol levels are associated with higher risks of hypertension and DM and lower risk of CNSLD.     

Enhanced coronary calcification determined by electron beam CT is strongly related to endothelial dysfunction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcification determined by electron beam CT (EBCT) is strongly associated with total plaque burden but is not related to systemic vascular inflammation.Aims: We sought to test the hypothesis that enhanced coronary artery calcification, a marker of atherosclerosis and plaque burden, was related to endothelial dysfunction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four subjects with suspected CAD were enrolled. Coronary artery calcification was detected by EBCT. A noninvasive method of brachial ultrasound was used to measure endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and endothelium-independent nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were also determined. Of the 124 patients, the calcium scores ranged from 0 to 4,394. All subjects were classified into three groups according to coronary calcium scores: group 1, score 0 (n = 26); group 2, scores 1 to 199 (n = 50); group 3, scores > or = 200 (n = 48). There was an inverse association between the degree of coronary artery calcification and the endothelium-dependent FMD in the three groups (6.9 +/- 0.6% vs 5.3 +/- 0.3% vs 3.7 +/- 0.3%, respectively; p < 0.001) but not the endothelium-independent NMD. Besides, no significant difference in serum levels of hsCRP and MCP-1 were found among the three groups. However, both the serum levels of hsCRP and MCP-1 were correlated significantly with endothelium-dependent FMD (r = - 0.211, p = 0.019; and r = - 0.188, p = 0.037, respectively). By multivariate analysis, enhanced coronary calcification was a strong independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Enhanced coronary artery calcification strongly predicted endothelial dysfunction in patients with suspected CAD. Also, serum levels of hsCRP and MCP-1 were significantly correlated with endothelial function. These findings suggested that both calcium deposition and inflammation were involved in endothelial dysfunction.     

Chronic heart failure is associated with vascular remodeling of the brachial artery

AIMS: Endothelial dysfunction has been shown to correlate with severity of congestive heart failure (CHF) and recent data suggest morphological changes of peripheral vasculature to be associated with the syndrome. We therefore investigated the hypothesis that vascular remodeling is associated with functional changes in peripheral conduit arteries and with systemic overexpression of ET-1 in patients suffering from CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS: 57 consecutive patients referred to the Innsbruck Heart Failure and Transplantation Program (EF=23+/-7%) and 16 matched controls (EF=60+/-5%) were studied. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation (NMD), wall thickness (WT), and incremental elastic modulus (Einc) were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound of the brachial artery. FMD (P=0.004) and NMD (P=0.02) were significantly higher in controls as compared to moderate and severe CHF patients. In contrast, brachial artery-wall thickness (BA-WT) was increased in severe CHF patients (P=0.038). BA-WT was significantly correlated with both FMD (r=-0.28; P=0.049) and NMD (r=-0.38; P=0.003), and with the Einc (r=0.45, P=0.001). Lumen diameter was not different among groups. In patients with BA-WT>0.31 mm, bigET-1 was higher compared to BA-WT<0.31 mm (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CHF is associated with remodeling of the brachial artery, which is characterized by morphological, mechanical and functional changes of the vessel wall. Endothelin-1 may play a role in the vascular remodeling process.     

Intima Media Thickness and Endothelial Function in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the carotid and brachial arteries, flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD), and nitroglycerin‐mediated dilatation (NMD) in diabetic and non‐diabetic hemodialysis patients. We also examined the effects of traditional and other risk factors on carotid and brachial IMT, FMD and NMD in all hemodialysis patients. Fifty‐eight adult hemodialysis patients, 14 of whom had diabetes, were studied. They had been on hemodialysis for 1–340 months. Using B‐mode ultrasonography, we measured the carotid and brachial IMT, FMD and NMD, and correlated the values with cardiovascular risk factors. FMD and NMD were significantly lower in diabetic patients (FMD 4.01 ± 0.99 vs. 6.69 ± 2.37 mm; NMD 9.1 ± 1.95 vs. 11.23 ± 2.86 mm), while no such differences were found between the two groups with respect to carotid or brachial IMT. In all patients with respect to age a positive correlation was found with carotid and brachial IMT, and a negative one with FMD and NMD. With respect to hypertension as well as diabetes, a negative correlation was found with FMD and NMD. Age is the most important factor that significantly affected all studied markers of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. The endothelial and smooth vascular functions are significantly impaired in diabetic and hypertensive hemodialysis patients, and hypertension is shown to be an independent risk factor for smooth vascular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients. According to our results, intensive antihypertensive treatment is recommended in hypertensive chronic hemodialysis patients.     

Endothelial function in individuals with coronary artery disease with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

The goal of this study was to determine if individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had greater endothelial dysfunction (ED) than individuals with only CAD. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), calculated as percentage increase in brachial artery diameter in response to postischemic blood flow, was measured after an overnight fast in 2 cohorts. The first cohort included 76 participants in the Northern Manhattan Study with CAD; 25 also had T2DM. The second cohort was composed of 27 individuals with both T2DM and CAD who were participants in a study of postprandial lipemia. Combined, we analyzed 103 patients with CAD: 52 with T2DM (T2DM+) and 51 without T2DM (T2DM−). The 52 CAD T2DM+ subjects had a mean FMD of 3.9% ± 3.2%, whereas the 51 CAD T2DM− subjects had a greater mean FMD of 5.5% ± 4.0% (P < .03). An investigation of various confounders known to affect FMD identified age and body mass index as the only significant covariates in a multiple regression model. Adjusting for age and body mass index, we found that FMD remained lower in T2DM+ subjects compared with T2DM− subjects (difference, −1.99%; P < .03). In patients with CAD, the concomitant presence of T2DM is independently associated with greater ED, as measured by FMD. This finding may be relevant to the greater early and late morbidity and mortality observed in patients with both CAD and T2DM.     

Endothelial cell function during atrial fibrillation and after restoration of sinus rhythm

Beat-to-beat variation in blood flow dynamics during atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with evidence of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present work is to confirm endothelial dysfunction in patients with AF and test the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction is reversible upon restoration of normal sinus rhythm. Endothelium-dependent (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) and endothelium-independent (nitroglycerin-mediated dilation [NMD]) vasodilator function of the brachial artery were measured using high-resolution ultrasound in 46 patients with persistent AF who were scheduled for internal electrical cardioversion and in 25 control subjects. In patients who remained in sinus rhythm after cardioversion, these measurements were repeated after 24 hours (n = 32) and 1 month (n = 19). Compared with control subjects, patients (n = 32) showed lower FMD during AF (8.1 +/- 3.6% vs 12.2 +/- 3.2%, respectively, p <0.001) and similar NMD (17.0 +/- 3.5% vs 15.9 +/- 3.1%, respectively, p = 0.21). In 19 patients who remained in sinus rhythm, FMD increased at both 24 hours (8.0 +/- 3.9% vs 10.6 +/- 4.6%, p = 0.015) and 1 month (8.0 +/- 3.9% vs 13.6 +/- 5.3%, p <0.001). In contrast, NMD was not significantly altered at 24 hours or 1 month after sinus rhythm restoration (17.1 +/- 3.9% vs 17.2 +/- 4.0% vs 16.9 +/- 4.1%). In conclusion, AF is associated with impairment in endothelial function that improves after sinus rhythm restoration.