Flow-mediated arterial dilation in primary antiphospholipid syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate precocious alterations in the artery wall of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).


METHODS
We evaluated flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries in 16 patients and 16 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and other cardiovascular risk factors.


RESULTS
FMD of the brachial artery was significantly lower in patients than in controls (6.3 +/- 5.2% vs 18.2 +/- 2.7; P < .005). IMT was similar in the 2 groups. FMD was significantly reduced in patients with anticardiolipin antibodies IgM.


CONCLUSIONS
APS correlates closely with precocious atherosclerosis, and the correlation with a type of anticardiolipin antibody may be predictive of more accelerated atherosclerosis.
Bilora
Franca
F
Clinica Medica, Università di Padova, Clinica medica II, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, Padua, Italy. franca.bilora@sanita.padova.it
Sartori
Maria Teresa
MT
Zanon
Ezio
E
Campagnolo
Enrico
E
Arzenton
Marianna
M
Rossato
Alberto
A
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D014664:Vasodilation
D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin