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.
Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mariëlle G J
MG
Duffels
Karlijn M
KM
Mulder
Mieke D
MD
Trip
Erik
E
de Groot
Johan
J
Gort
Arie P J
AP
van Dijk
Elke S
ES
Hoendermis
Luciano
L
Daliento
Aeiko H
AH
Zwinderman
Rolf M F
RM
Berger
Barbara J M
BJ
Mulder
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