title: Endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid intima-media thickness in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular problems are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Endothelial dysfunction (ED) and intima-media thickness (IMT) are predictors for the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In the present study, ED and IMT were investigated in patients with ADPKD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen hypertensive and 16 normotensive patients with ADPKD with preserved renal function, 16 patients with essential hypertension, and 24 healthy subjects were included in the study. Endothelial function of the brachial artery was evaluated by means of high-resolution vascular ultrasound. Endothelial-dependent dilatation (EDD) was assessed by establishing reactive hyperemia, and endothelial-independent dilatation was determined by using sublingual isosorbide dinitrate. Carotid IMT was measured by means of high-resolution vascular ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EDD was significantly worse in hypertensive patients with ADPKD compared with patients with essential hypertension (9.1% +/- 4.1% versus 12.4% +/- 4.6%; P < 0.05) and even in normotensive patients with ADPKD compared with healthy subjects (13.1% +/- 5.2% versus 18.1% +/- 8.1%; P < 0.01). Moreover, carotid IMT was significantly greater in both hypertensive (0.71 +/- 0.10 mm; P < 0.01) and normotensive (0.57 +/- 0.14 mm; P < 0.001) patients with ADPKD compared with healthy subjects (0.45 +/- 0.10 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both hypertensive and normotensive patients with ADPKD show significant ED and increased IMT, which are predictors of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kocaman
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oflaz
authors.forename: Ensar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yekeler
authors.forename: Memduh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dursun
authors.forename: Dogan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdogan
authors.forename: Seref
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demirel
authors.forename: Sabahat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alisir
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Turgut
authors.forename: Fehmi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mercanoglu
authors.forename: Tevfik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ecder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D016891:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / Q000150:complications*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography