[Clinico-functional evaluation of arterial rigidity in bronchial asthma]

Vascular disturbances play an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma (BA). Presently, study of vascular mechanical properties, arterial rigidity in particular, is of great interest in terms of evaluation of functional condition of the cardiovascular system. It is not clear yet, whether arterial rigidity increases in patients with bronchial asthma, and what role it can play in its pathogenesis. Fifty-four patients were examined with non-invasive arteriography (arteriographer TensioClinic TL 1, TensioMed, Hungary). Aortal rigidity was in general significantly higher in patients with BA exacerbation vs. healthy controls. This was expressed by a higher pulse wave velocity in the aorta (PWVA) and augmentation index (AI) in severe and moderate BA. PWVA in BA was almost twice higher in BA patients compared with healthy people. The ratio of coronary perfusion indices (systolic and diastolic area index; SAI and DAI) was biased towards SAI. Regardless of the degree of an increase in arterial vascular rigidity in BA exacerbation, PWVA, AI, and SAI/DAI significantly improved and approximated normal values during remission, which demonstrate a transient character of these changes. In patients with severe BA AI and SAI/DAI ration were lower than in patients with moderate BA and healthy individuals, which is connected with adaptation phenomena. Correlation analysis showed that an increase in arterial rigidity is connected mostly with the degree of ventilation disorder and hypoxia as well as with the duration and severity of the disease. Further research in this direction will make it possible to know more about the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in BA.