The role of endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of combined cardiopulmonary diseases
Zarubina, E.G.; Mishina, E.A.; Osadchuk, M.A.
Klinicheskaia Meditsina 84(5): 31-34
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-2149 PMID: 16827275 Document Number: 599730
The aim of the study was to evaluate the endothelial function in patients with coronary heart disease and an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the role of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the pathogenesis of reciprocal exacerbation syndrome in cases of combined cardiovascular pathology. The subjects were 366 patients with single or combined cardiovascular diseases, in whom non-invasive evaluation of the endothelial regulation of the vascular tone was performed, and serum levels of NO were measured. The study revealed the biggest number of cases with an altered endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, and the most prominent decrease in NO level in patients with CHD and COPD. All the patients were followed up during two years in order to compare clinical manifestations of single and combined cardiovascular pathology. The results show that ED may be considered a predictor of complicated clinical course of COPD in patients with CHD.