Impaired nitrate-mediated dilatation could reflect nitrate tolerance in patients with coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the brachial artery could be impaired by the use of nitrates and reflect nitrate tolerance in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.


METHODS
A total of 243 patients (mean age 61+/-12 years, 146 male) were recruited before coronary angiography. Gensini score was calculated to assess the severity of CAD. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and NMD of the brachial artery were measured.


RESULTS
NMD progressively decreased from subjects without CAD (control group, n=71) to non-nitrate users (n=64) and nitrate users (n=108) with CAD (16.2+/-6.01% versus 13.4+/-5.57% versus 9.57+/-4.52%, P<0.001 for all). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, FMD, diameter of the brachial artery, hypertension, and nitrate use were independent determinants of NMD. In subgroup analysis of patients with high Gensini score (>10), nitrate users (n=56, 9.00+/-4.00%) had a significant lower NMD than non-users (n=28, 12.4+/-5.45%, P<0.001), but no difference in other parameters including age, prevalence of hypertension, FMD, Gensini score and use of other medications.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of nitrates independently impaired NMD in CAD patients. An impaired NMD could be a comprehensive index of nitrate tolerance in patients with CAD.
Hu
Rui
R
Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Siu
Chung Wah
CW
Lau
Elizabeth-Oy
EO
Wang
Wei Qun
WQ
Lau
Chu-Pak
CP
Tse
Hung-Fat
HF
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004361:Drug Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin