title: Impairment of the vasodilatation capability of the brachial artery in patients with idiopathic venous thrombosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determination of the functional capability of the peripheral arteries is increasingly used as an early marker of vessel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate flow-mediated (FMD) and glyceryl trinitrate-mediated (NMD) dilation of the brachial artery in patients with idiopathic venous thrombosis (VT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow-mediated brachial artery dilatation and the dilatation response to glyceryl trinitrate were measured using high-resolution ultrasound in 97 subjects (49 eligible patients of both sexes, mean age 51.5 ± 14.6 years, with idiopathic venous thrombosis, and 48 age-matched healthy controls).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, FMD was significantly reduced in the group of patients with idiopathic venous thrombosis -4.9% (95% CI 1.1-8.7%) vs. 12.7% (95% CI 7.8-17.6%), p<0.001. Patients also had diminished NMD of the brachial artery -12.5% (95% CI 6.6-18.4%) vs. 18.5% (95% CI 10.1-26.9%), p<0.001. In patients, significantly higher levels of circulatory markers (P-selectin, von Willebrand factor) of endothelial dysfunction were registered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Idiopathic venous thrombosis is associated with impaired flow- and GTN-mediated vasodilatory response of the brachial artery. This may suggest involvement of the functional deterioration of the vessel wall in the pathogenesis of idiopathic VT and indicate a relationship between VT and atherothrombosis.
authors: Department of Vascular Disease, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Slovenia.
authors: Mateja Kaja
authors: MK
authors: Jezovnik
authors: Pavel
authors: P
authors: Poredos
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Stalc
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin