Article
Intensive 1-year lifestyle modification improves microvascular endothelial function in CAD patients
Intensive Lebensstilmodifikation über 1 Jahr verbessert die mikrovaskuläre Endothelfunktion bei KHK-Patienten
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Authors
Published: | November 11, 2004 |
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Outline
Text
Objective
In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) endothelial function is impaired and correlates with morbidity and mortality. We examined the effect of an intensive lifestyle modification program over one year on endothelial function in CAD patients.
Materials and methods
We investigated the effects of acetylcholine (ACh 10-9-10-7 mol) induced vasodilatation as well as the effects of NO-synthase inhibitor L-NMMA (10-8 mol) vasoconstriction in the forearm skin microcirculation of 17 CAD patients and 12 healthy volunteers, using the double injection technique and laser Doppler imaging. The results are expressed in perfusion units (PU) as differences from saline in mean ± S.E.M.; the area under the time-response-curve was calculated (AUC). Measurements were performed at baseline and after one year of intensive lifestyle modification.
Results
Vasodilatation to ACh (10-9-10-7 mol) was significantly reduced in CAD patients compared to healthy volunteers (p<0.001). After one year of intensive lifestyle modification CAD patients showed a significant improvement of vasodilatation to ACh (p<0.001 versus baseline). The L-NMMA (10-8 mol) induced vasoconstriction was significantly reduced after one year of intensive lifestyle modification (p<0.05 versus baseline).
Conclusion
Comprehensive and intensive 1-year lifestyle modification improves endothelial function in CAD patients. Laser Doppler imaging is a new method to assess the effects of cardiovascular intervention on endothelial function [Fig. 1].