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A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
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[Assessment of endothelial function in autoimmune diseases]
Y Benhamou1, J Bellien2, G Armengol3
1Département de médecine interne, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France; Service de pharmacologie, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France; Inserm U 1096, faculté de médecine de Rouen, 22, boulevard Gambetta, 76183 Rouen cedex, France.
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|January 14, 2014
Summary
Autoimmune diseases accelerate atherosclerosis via endothelial dysfunction, impacting cardiovascular health. This review explores biological markers and functional assessments for endothelial dysfunction in rheumatic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Biology
Context:
- Autoimmune-inflammatory rheumatic diseases are linked to accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by impaired vasodilation and a pro-inflammatory, pro-thrombotic state, is a key early event in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- Traditional CVD risk factors alone do not fully explain the elevated cardiovascular risk in these patients.
Purpose:
- To review the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in the context of autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
- To summarize current biological and functional methods for assessing endothelial dysfunction.
- To highlight similarities and differences in endothelial assessment across various autoimmune conditions.
Summary:
- Endothelial dysfunction involves reduced vasodilation, increased inflammation, and prothrombotic activity.
- Assessment utilizes biological markers like soluble adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin), pro-thrombotic factors (thrombomodulin, von Willebrand factor, PAI-1), and inflammatory cytokines.
- Functional assessment commonly employs flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of conduit arteries.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of endothelial dysfunction in rheumatic diseases for researchers and clinicians.
- Facilitates understanding of vascular complications in autoimmune conditions.
- Informs potential therapeutic strategies targeting endothelial function to reduce cardiovascular risk.
