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Human Saphenous Vein Endothelial Cell Isolation and Exposure to Controlled Levels of Shear Stress and Stretch
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The association between saphenous vein endothelial function, systemic inflammation, and statin therapy in patients

Aziz Momin1, Narbeh Melikian, Stephen B Wheatcroft

  • 1Cardiovascular Division, King's College London School of Medicine at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|July 31, 2007
PubMed

Insights

High C-reactive protein levels independently predict reduced saphenous vein endothelial function in coronary artery disease patients, even with statin treatment. Coronary atherosclerotic burden also independently influences C-reactive protein levels.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) are key in atherosclerosis and cardiac events.
  • Statins are known to reduce CRP and improve endothelial function, but their effect on venous endothelial function is less understood.
  • Saphenous veins are commonly used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between saphenous vein endothelial function and CRP levels in statin-treated patients undergoing CABG.
  • To identify determinants of saphenous vein endothelial function and CRP levels in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-six patients on statin therapy with optimal LDL cholesterol (<1.6 mmol/L) were studied.
  • Saphenous vein endothelial function was assessed ex vivo via acetylcholine-induced relaxation of venous rings.
  • Systemic inflammation markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, were measured.

Main Results:

  • Despite statin use, 26% of patients exhibited high-risk CRP levels (>3.0 mg/L).
  • A negative linear correlation was observed between acetylcholine-induced venous relaxation and CRP levels (r = -0.30, P = 0.02).
  • CRP was the sole independent predictor of saphenous vein endothelial function in multivariate analysis (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

  • In patients with coronary artery disease, CRP level is the independent predictor of saphenous vein endothelial function.
  • The extent of coronary atherosclerotic burden independently influences CRP levels.
  • Findings highlight the persistent role of inflammation in vascular dysfunction despite statin therapy.
Abstract

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