[Endothelial function and ischemic heart disease]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Pathophysiology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• The 'response-to-injury' hypothesis posits endothelial dysfunction as the initial step in atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.
• Cardiovascular risk factors can trigger endothelial dysfunction, initiating a slow inflammatory process.
• This process involves low-density lipoprotein oxidation, immune activation, and plaque development, potentially leading to atherothrombotic lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis.
• To highlight emerging laboratory and clinical methods for detecting endothelial dysfunction.
• To discuss novel diagnostic approaches in ischemic heart disease.

Main Methods:

• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a recognized method for assessing endothelial function.
• Laser Doppler flowmetry is an emerging technique for routine clinical application.
• Coronarographic evaluation of intravascular flow velocity and isolation of circulating endothelial cells are under clinical investigation.

Main Results:

• Endothelial dysfunction is a key early event in the development of atherosclerotic plaque.
• Advanced diagnostic tools are being developed to detect and evaluate endothelial dysfunction.
• Clinical studies are exploring novel markers and imaging techniques for ischemic heart disease.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.
• Novel diagnostic methods show promise for earlier and more accurate detection of cardiovascular disease.
• Further research into these methods could improve patient outcomes in cardiology.