P.051 Evaluation of Endothelial Function with Non-Invasive Methods in Different Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

The aim of our study was to evaluate microvascular reactivity and arterial stiffness with non-invasive methods in patients with different cardiovascular risk factors. Following blood pressure measurement, skin microcirculation was studied with laser Doppler flowmetry (Periflux 5001). The effect of local heating (LH; 44ºC, 1min) and the postocclusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH; 220 mmHg, 3 min) were measured. Arterial stiffness was evaluated with the newly developed TensioClinic Arteriograf instrument which calculate the pulse wave velocity (PWV, m/s) and augmentation index (Aix, %). Healthy controls (CONT, n = 13), patients with essential hypertension (EH, n =13), with essential hypertension and peripheral artery disease (EH+PAD, n =22), and essential hypertension and 2-type diabetes mellitus (EH+DM, n = 25) were measured. Pulse pressure (PP) was higher in EH+PAD (62.6±3.2 mmHg, p < 0.05) and EH+DM (67.6±3.3 mmHg, p <0.001) groups compared with CONT (52.5±3.4 mmHg). Aix, PWV and the PORH were significantly different in healthy controls (–62.11%, 7.01m/s, 393.77%, resp.) compared to the patient groups. These parameters were significantly different in the EH (–34.25%, 7.91m/s, 292.77%), EH+PAD (0.34%, 9.16m/s, 182.86%) and EH+DM groups (0.87%, 9.27m/s, 192.84%). The reactive hyperaemia for LH was significantly lower in the EH (782±106%), EH+PAD (651±53%) and EH+DM (453±45%) compared with the CONT (1049±133%). Significant correlation was found between the PORH and Aix (r = –0.54; p <0.001) and PP and Aix (r = 0.42, p < 0.05). Using these non-invasive methods there is a growing possibility to diagnose endothelial dysfunction in patients with different cardiovascular diseases. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the prognostic value and the utility in therapy follow-up of these methods.