Endothelial function, arterial stiffness and lipid lowering drugs.
The endothelium is a dynamic organ that plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Alteration in endothelial function precedes the development of atherosclerosis and contributes to its initiation, perpetuation and clinical manifestations. It has been suggested that the assessment of endothelial function could represent a barometer of vascular health that could be used to gauge cardiovascular risk. This review summarises the various methods used to assess endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and their potential prognostic implications. In addition, the techniques used to evaluate arterial stiffness are discussed. The latter is to some extent controlled by the endothelium and has been the subject of considerable research in recent years. This paper also discusses the effects of lipid lowering treatment on both endothelial function and arterial stiffness.
Tziomalos
Konstantinos
K
University of London, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
Athyros
Vasilios G
VG
Karagiannis
Asterios
A
Mikhailidis
Dimitri P
DP
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents