Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
06:39

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders

Published on: August 18, 2016

Coronary endothelial dysfunction associated with a depressive mood in patients with atypical angina but

Ji Hoon Kim1, Jin Won Kim, Young Hoon Ko

  • 1Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, 97, Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, 152-703, Republic of Korea.

International Journal of Cardiology
|March 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Depressive symptoms are linked to impaired coronary endothelial function in individuals without coronary artery disease. This suggests a potential mechanism connecting mood and cardiovascular risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Depression is a known risk factor for coronary heart disease.
  • The specific relationship between depressive symptomatology and coronary endothelial dysfunction remains unclear.
  • This study aimed to explore this association in patients without diagnosed coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between depressive symptoms and coronary endothelial dysfunction.
  • To determine if patients with depressive symptomatology exhibit impaired coronary endothelial function compared to controls without coronary artery disease.

Main Methods:

  • 52 patients with depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory score ≥10, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score ≥7) and 103 matched controls (scores <10 and <7, respectively) without coronary artery disease were studied.
  • Acetylcholine and nitrate infusions were administered into the left coronary ostium to assess vascular responses.
  • Quantitative measurements of vascular responses in the left anterior descending artery were compared between groups.

Main Results:

  • Patients with depressive symptoms demonstrated significant vasoconstriction in response to acetylcholine compared to the non-depressive group (p=0.017, 0.090, 0.004).
  • No significant difference in endothelium-independent vasodilation to nitrates was observed between the groups (p=0.461).
  • No significant differences in cardiovascular risk factors were found between the depressive and non-depressive groups.

Conclusions:

  • Depressive mood is associated with coronary endothelial dysfunction in individuals without coronary artery disease.
  • This dysfunction may represent a key mechanism linking depressive mood to increased cardiovascular risk.
  • Findings suggest that depressive mood could be an independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
Angina II: Classification01:27

Angina II: Classification

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a chest pain resulting from diminished blood flow to the heart muscle and is often a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina presents several variants with distinctive attributes, etiologies, and therapeutic approaches. The main types of angina include stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal's), microvascular, intractable, and silent ischemia.Stable angina is caused by atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of plaques that narrow the coronary...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
Angina I: Introduction01:30

Angina I: Introduction

Definition and Symptoms: Angina (angina pectoris) is chest pain or discomfort caused by myocardial ischemia, which occurs when the heart muscle receives insufficient oxygen-rich blood. It typically manifests as pressing, squeezing, or crushing sensations in the chest and may radiate to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.Primary Cause: In a healthy state, the coronary arteries can dilate (widen) to increase blood flow and meet the increased oxygen demand during physical activity or...