[Early detection of atherosclerosis with high resolution ultrasound exemplified by type II diabetic patients].
OBJECTIVE
Endothelial Dysfunction (ED) is an early functional marker and Intima-Media-Thickness (IMT) an early morphological parameter of atherogenesis. Is there a simple, non-invasive routine method for the identification of atherosclerosis including the detection of the early functional endothelial impairment seen for example in Type 2 diabetic patients?


METHODS
Using high resolution ultrasound we studied peripheral endothelial function expressed as flow-associated dilation (FAD %) and endothelial independent vasodilation after administration of 400 micrograms glycerol trinitrate (postnitro %) of the brachial artery as well as IMT of the common carotid artery in 25 Type 2 diabetic patients and their matched controls.


RESULTS
(mean +/- SD): The diabetic patients showed a remarkable ED (FAD%: 3.8 +/- 3.3 vs. 6.9 +/- 4.4%, p = 0.01) and an already increased IMT (0.72 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.62 +/- 0.10 mm, p < 0.01). The similar postnitro % in diabetic patients and controls suggests normal dilating capacity of the studied vessels in the diabetic patients (postnitro %: 14.3 +/- 9.4 vs. 14.9 +/- 8.5%, p = ns).


CONCLUSIONS
With a combination of these three sonomorphological parameters it is possible to document the stage of atherosclerosis including endothelial dysfunction in Type 2 diabetic patients.
Enderle
M D
MD
Medizinische Klinik, Universität Tübingen.
Balletshofer
B M
BM
Schmülling
R M
RM
Häring
H U
HU
Pfohl
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
Atherosklerose-Früherkennung mit hochauflösendem Ultraschall am Beispiel von Typ II-Diabetikern.