Chronic inflammation and increased arterial stiffness in patients with cardiac syndrome X.
OBJECTIVE
Endothelial dysfunction and subangiographic atheroma have been reported in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) but little is known regarding chronic inflammation and reduced arterial distensibility as pathogenic mechanisms. We assessed whether markers of inflammation and arterial distensibility differ in CSX patients compared to control subjects.


RESULTS
We studied 30 consecutive CSX patients (mean age 57+/-6 years, 25 women) and 30 healthy controls (mean age 54+/-8 years, 25 women). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly higher in patients with CSX compared to controls (2.6 [1.7-4.5] vs 1.5[0.7-2.7] mg/l, P=0.02). Hs-CRP levels correlated with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) (Spearman's rho=0.51; P=0.013). CSX patients also had significantly increased mean IMT values than controls (P<0.0001). Arterial stiffness and elastic modulus were also significantly increased in CSX patients compared to control subjects (P=0.04 and P=0.04, respectively). Distensibility tended to be lower in CSX patients than controls although this difference did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed for the first time that compared to control subjects, patients with CSX have higher hs-CRP serum levels, increased mean common carotid artery IMT and increased arterial stiffness. The role of these abnormalities in the pathogenesis of CSX deserves investigation.
Arroyo-Espliguero
Ramón
R
Coronary Artery Disease Research Unit, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Mollichelli
Nadia
N
Avanzas
Pablo
P
Zouridakis
Emmanouil
E
Newey
Valentine R
VR
Nassiri
Dariush K
DK
Kaski
Juan Carlos
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004548:Elasticity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D017566:Microvascular Angina / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein