[Endothelial function in coronary segments previously treated with balloon angioplasty].
OBJECTIVE
Coronary angioplasty leads to endothelial disruption and a further rendotelization. The aim of our study was to determine the status of endothelial function in previously dilated coronary segments without restenosis.


METHODS
Endothelium-dependent vasomotion was analysed in twelve patients with single vessel coronary disease six month after angioplasty by selective intracoronary doses of acetylcholine (10-6, 10-5, 10-4 M) in the previously treated artery. The control group was made up of seven patients with no evidence of significant coronary stenosis and without risk factors. Vasomotor response at the different doses of acetylcholine was determined by quantitative coronary angiography.


RESULTS
Endothelial function showed a global vasodilator response in the dilated segment at the maximum dose of acetylcholine (increase in lumen diameter 3.6 +/- 3.5%), similar to the response observed in the control group (increase of luminal diameter 3 +/- 6%; p = NS). In particular, 8 patients (67%) showed a normal endotelial function, while 4 patients (33%) showed a vasoconstrictor response. A positive correlation was detected between the response to the maximun dose of acetylcholine and the percent of residual stenosis at 6 months of follow-up (r = 0.67; p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients treated with coronary angioplasty without restenosis, the dilated segments frequently showed normal endothelial function. Greater residual stenosis at the dilated segment was associated with less impairment in endothelial function.
Gómez-Hospital
J A
JA
Unidad de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. Servicio de Cardiología. Hospital de Bellvitge. Universidad de Barcelona, Spain. jagomezh@csub.scs.es
Tenas
M S
MS
Cequier Fillat
A
A
Alió Bosch
J
J
Mauri Ferré
J
J
Iràculis Soteres
E
E
García Del Blanco
B
B
Fernández-Nofrerias
E
E
Sureda
F J
FJ
Esplugas Oliveras
E
E
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies