Non-invasive detection of early endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolaemic subjects.
Hypercholesterolaemia is associated with accelerated atherogenesis. Before the evidence of morphological lesions or plaques, endothelial dysfunctions, such as impairment in endothelium-dependent vascular tone regulation, may occur. We studied 32 subjects, 16 with primary hypercholesterolaemia and 16 normocholesterolaemic controls. Flow-dependent vasodilation, an endothelium-dependent phenomenon, was evaluated by measuring femoral artery diameter and flow velocity in basal conditions and during distal post-ischemic hyperaemia, using a high resolution echo-Doppler. Arterial distensibility and compliance were evaluated for the common carotid and femoral arteries, using a pulsed echo-tracking system and measuring the absolute and relative stroke change in arterial diameter. In the hypercholesterolaemic group there was no flow-dependent arterial relaxation, indicated by the area under the curve of percentage diameter variation as a function of time. This parameter was inversely correlated with both total and LDL-cholesterol values in all population subjects. No difference was observed between the two groups in endothelium-independent vasodilation induced by glyceryl trinitrate administration or arterial wall distensibility and compliance, confirming the hypothesis of a functional defect.
Arcaro
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Policlinico, Verona, Italy.
Zenere
B M
BM
Travia
D
D
Zenti
M G
MG
Covi
G
G
Lechi
A
A
Muggeo
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D014664:Vasodilation