title: Evidence of a weak correlation between peripheral endothelial function measures and carotid intima-media thickness.
abstract: Previous studies from our and other laboratories have demonstrated the existence of a clear relationship between different measures of endothelial function and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. The relationship between endothelial function and carotid intima-media thickness has not been extensively investigated. Endothelial function using radial artery flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC) and dilation (FMD) was assessed in 513 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. Intima-media thickness of both carotid arteries was also measured. IMT was greater in patients with diabetes, males, those with body mass index >30, and in those older than 65 years (all p < 0.05). There was a strong correlation between age and IMT (p < 0.0001). Hypercholesterolemia and a family history for cardiovascular disease had no impact on IMT. In contrast, the relationship between either L-FMC or FMD and IMT was weak at best (p = 0.008 for the relationship between L-FMC and IMT, p = 0.13 for the relationship between FMD and IMT). There was a positive correlation between IMT and resting radial artery diameter (p = 0.008). IMT increased with the extent of coronary artery disease, but this trend did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Resting (L-FMC), but not recruitable (FMD) endothelial function correlates with the extent of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. This correlation is however weaker in comparison to that with age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Sarina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: Selina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muxel
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fasola
authors.forename: Alica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beutel
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forconi
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Münzel
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gori
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors