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Published on: April 13, 2015
A novel echocardiographic method as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary slow flow
1Cardiology Department, Yuzunci Yil University, Van, Turkey. dr.hsimsek@hotmail.com
Background:
To improve clinical outcomes, noninvasive imaging modalities have been proposed to measure and monitor atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is considered the first stage in the development of atherosclerosis. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) has been impaired in patients with coronary slow flow (CSF). Recently, color M-mode derived propagation velocity of descending thoracic aorta (aortic propagation velocity-AVP) was shown to be an ultrasonographic marker for atherosclerosis.
Aim:
To assess endothelial function in patients with CSF and the correlation of AVP with FMD.
Materials And Methods:
FMD and AVP were measured in 90 patients with CSF and 39 patients having normal coronary arteries (NCA) detected by coronary angiography.
Results:
Compared to patients with normal coronary arteries patients having CSF had significantly lower AVP (39.1±8.4 vs. 53.7±12.7 cm/s, p < 0.001) and FMD (5.6±3.2 vs. 17.6±4.4 %, p < 0.001) measurements. There were significant correlations between AVP and FMD (r = 0.524, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Transthoracic echocardiographic determination of color M-mode propagation velocity of descending aorta is a simple practical method and correlates well with coronary slow flow and brachial endothelial function.
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