title: Association between peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction and livedoid vasculopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a disease characterized by multiple painful and recurrent ulcerations on the feet, accompanied by atrophic scars. Many researchers suggest that a hypercoagulable status is the pathogenetic factor for LV. However, the cause of LV remains elusive.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine if endothelial dysfunction is present in patients with LV.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 16 patients with LV and active ulcers and 16 matched control subjects. We reviewed detailed clinical parameters, including antinuclear antibody, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, protein C, protein S, homocysteine, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anticardiolipin antibody, and serum lipid profiles. Flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery was used as an indicator of vascular endothelial function using high-resolution 2-dimensional ultrasonic imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood pressure, blood biochemistry, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homocysteine were not significantly different in patients with LV and control subjects. Nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation was not significantly different in patients with LV and control subjects. However, flow-mediated vasodilation was much less in patients with LV than in the control group (3.58 ± 2.32% vs 7.51 ± 2.40%, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was performed at a single site with a limited sample size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction was demonstrated in patients with LV by reduction of brachial flow-mediated vasodilation.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
authors: Chih-Hsun
authors: CH
authors: Yang
authors: Su-Chin
authors: SC
authors: Shen
authors: Rosaline Chung-Yee
authors: RC
authors: Hui
authors: Yu-Huei
authors: YH
authors: Huang
authors: Pao-Hsien
authors: PH
authors: Chu
authors: Wan-Jing
authors: WJ
authors: Ho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000150:complications; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014664:Vasodilation