Atherosclerosis in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) might be protected against atherosclerosis.


RESULTS
Atherosclerotic risk factors and carotid intima - media thickness (IMT) were investigated in adults with cyanotic CHD and in unaffected age- and sex-matched controls. Fifty-four cyanotic patients (30 men, mean age 38, range 19-60 years) and 54 controls were included. Mean transcutaneous saturation of the cyanotic patients was 81+/-6%. Mean carotid IMT adjusted for age was significantly decreased in cyanotic patients compared to controls (0.55+/-0.1 mm vs 0.58+/-0.08 mm: DeltaIMT =0.04 mm [SE 0.015], P=0.01). In cyanotic patients lower total cholesterol levels were observed (4.4+/-1 mmol/L vs 4.9+/-1 mmol/L; P=0.02), as well as lower thrombocyte levels (173+/-81 x 10(9) /L vs 255+/-54 x 10(9) /L; P<0.01), higher bilirubin levels (18.6+/-11 micromol/L vs 12.7+/-6 micromol/L; P<0.01), and lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure (71+/-9 mmHg vs 76+/-9 mmHg, P<0.01; 113+/-14 mmHg vs 124+/-12 mmHg, P<0.01, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with cyanotic CHD carotid IMT, and hence atherosclerosis disease risk, was decreased. This might be due to a combination of reduced atherosclerotic risk factors such as lower blood pressure, lower total cholesterol levels, higher bilirubin levels and lower thrombocyte levels.
Duffels
Mariëlle G J
MG
Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mulder
Karlijn M
KM
Trip
Mieke D
MD
de Groot
Erik
E
Gort
Johan
J
van Dijk
Arie P J
AP
Hoendermis
Elke S
ES
Daliento
Luciano
L
Zwinderman
Aeiko H
AH
Berger
Rolf M F
RM
Mulder
Barbara J M
BJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003490:Cyanosis; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D002784:Cholesterol; D001663:Bilirubin