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Updated: May 28, 2026

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Association between peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction and livedoid vasculopathy
Chih-Hsun Yang1, Su-Chin Shen, Rosaline Chung-Yee Hui
1Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Background:
Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a disease characterized by multiple painful and recurrent ulcerations on the feet, accompanied by atrophic scars. Many researchers suggest that a hypercoagulable status is the pathogenetic factor for LV. However, the cause of LV remains elusive.
Objective:
We sought to determine if endothelial dysfunction is present in patients with LV.
Methods:
This prospective study included 16 patients with LV and active ulcers and 16 matched control subjects. We reviewed detailed clinical parameters, including antinuclear antibody, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, protein C, protein S, homocysteine, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anticardiolipin antibody, and serum lipid profiles. Flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery was used as an indicator of vascular endothelial function using high-resolution 2-dimensional ultrasonic imaging.
Results:
Blood pressure, blood biochemistry, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and homocysteine were not significantly different in patients with LV and control subjects. Nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation was not significantly different in patients with LV and control subjects. However, flow-mediated vasodilation was much less in patients with LV than in the control group (3.58 ± 2.32% vs 7.51 ± 2.40%, P < .001).
Limitations:
The study was performed at a single site with a limited sample size.
Conclusion:
Peripheral vascular endothelial dysfunction was demonstrated in patients with LV by reduction of brachial flow-mediated vasodilation.
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