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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
08:42

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research

Published on: October 22, 2014

Modulation of arterial reactivity using amlodipine and atorvastatin measured by ultrasound examination (MARGAUX)

François Charbonneau1, Todd J Anderson, Lawrence Title

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.

Atherosclerosis
|August 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin improved endothelial function and reduced inflammation in coronary disease patients. Adding amlodipine did not provide further benefits on these measures.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) involves endothelial dysfunction.
  • Statins like atorvastatin improve cardiovascular outcomes.
  • The role of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in enhancing endothelial function in CAD patients on statins is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of amlodipine on endothelial function in patients with coronary disease receiving atorvastatin.
  • To assess changes in inflammatory markers alongside endothelial function.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 134 patients with coronary disease.
  • Patients received atorvastatin titrated to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) below 2.5 mmol/L.
  • Participants were then randomized to amlodipine (5-10 mg/day) or placebo for 12 months.
  • Endothelial function was assessed via brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using vascular ultrasound.
  • Inflammatory markers including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured.

Main Results:

  • Intensive LDL-C reduction with atorvastatin significantly decreased hsCRP and sVCAM-1 levels.
  • Atorvastatin therapy alone led to a significant improvement in FMD.
  • Amlodipine addition resulted in a modest reduction in blood pressure but did not further improve FMD or inflammatory markers.
  • No significant changes in nitroglycerin-mediated dilation were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Intensive LDL-C lowering with atorvastatin effectively improves endothelial function and reduces inflammation in patients with coronary disease.
  • The addition of amlodipine to atorvastatin therapy does not confer additional benefits on endothelial function or inflammatory markers in this patient population.
Abstract

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