Prognostic Impact of Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction on Long-Term Adverse Outcome in Patients with Chest Pain and Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
Dalia Jarašūnienė ◽  
Ernesta Susekaitė ◽  
Nerijus Klimas

Coronary endothelial dysfunction is known to be related with adverse cardiovascular outcome. We obtained a long-term follow-up of patients without significant coronary atherosclerosis, complaining of chest pain, in whom intra-coronary acetylene testing was performed in order to assess endothelial function. The study included 41 patient (35 with endothelial dysfunction, 6 with preserved endothelial function). Events considered as adverse outcome were cardiovascular death, acute myocardium-dial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary-aortic by-pass grafting, ischemic stroke and peripheral artery re-vascularization. A high cardiovascular event rate was observed in patients with and without endothelial dysfunction, 34,3% and 50% respectively. Adverse outcome was related not only to endothelial dysfunction but also to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, evaluation of endothelial function or its determinants seems to be helpful in identifying a subgroup of patients at high risk.

Author(s):  
R. Jay Widmer ◽  
Amir Lerman

The assessment of coronary endothelial function has profound importance in terms of diagnostic and prognostic significance in patients with both obstructive and non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Endothelial dysfunction may take place in both epicardial coronary arteries as well as in the coronary microcirculation. Epicardial coronary endothelial dysfunction can be detected in the catheterization laboratory with abnormal vascular responses to endothelial-dependent physiological or pharmacological stimuli, and is characteristically a precursor to the initial processes of atherosclerotic coronary disease. This chapter discusses coronary endothelial physiology, the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction, how to evaluate coronary endothelial function, and the prognosis for patients with endothelial dysfunction.


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