Endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypertension and peripheral artery disease

Abstract

Aim. To assess endothelial function in patients with hypertension and peripheral artery disease.Methods. The study included 100 patients with an established diagnosis of essential hypertension. Ultrasonic duplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries and lower limb arteries was performed. The functional state of the endothelium was evaluated using postocclusive reactive hyperemia test by D.S. Celermajer.Results. Atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries were found in 71% of patients, in the lower limb arteries - in 60%. The combined affection of both vascular beds was diagnosed in 51% of patients. Endothelial dysfunction was found in 64% of patients. In patients with carotid arterial system atherosclerosis, brachial artery dilation response was 6.1%, while in those with intact carotid arteries - 4.7% (p=0.041). The value of the brachial artery dilation response in patients with atherosclerotic lesions of lower extremities arteries was 5.9%. In the subgroup of patients with intact lower limbs arteries, the increase in brachial artery diameter was 9.60% an average (p=0.04). Among 51 people with affection of both vascular systems the brachial artery diameter increase was 5.4%, while in comparison, in the subgroup consisting of 49 patients without combined carotid and lower limb arteries lesions, - 9.9% (p=0.003). According to the results of the correlation analysis, the relation between endothelial dysfunction and the maximum percentage of stenosis of the carotid arteries and lower limb arteries at the level of tibial segment was revealed.Conclusion. In patients with hypertension and peripheral artery disease, decrease in dilation response in endothelium-dependent vasodilation test was registered regardless of the localization of atherosclerotic lesions; endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension was associated with the highest percentage of stenosis of the carotid arteries and lower limb arteries at the level of tibial segment.