S. Schroeder et al., Influence of vessel size, age and body mass index on the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD%) of the brachial artery, INT J CARD, 76(2-3), 2000, pp. 219-225
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Background: The non-invasive determination of the endothelial dysfunction (
ED) of the brachial artery is a widely used method in clinical research. It
remained, however, unclear, whether the test-results are influenced by the
anatomical vessel size, the patients age, body mass index (BMI) or gender.
Methods: The flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD%) of the brachial artery wa
s determined in 122 consecutive (88 male, 34 female) patients. FMD% was mea
sured using high resolution ultrasound (13 Mhz) at rest, during reactive hy
peraemia and after the sublingual administration of glycerolnitrate (GTN%).
Results: Lumen diameters at rest varied from 2.48 mm to 6.33 mm (4.46+/-0.
74 mm). The extent of FMD% as well as of GTN% showed an inverse correlation
to the resting lumen diameters (r=-0.33, P<0.001/r=-0.51, P<0.001). This c
orrelation was even more distinct in females (females: FMD% r=-0.54, P<0.00
1; GTN% r=-0.64, P<0.001 vs. males: FMD% -0.23, P<0.001; GTN% -0.59, P<0.00
1). No significant influence of age (61+/-9 years, FMD%: r=-0.04, P=0.68, G
TN%: r=-0.18, P=0.05) and BMI (27.03=/-3.43 kg/m(2), FMD%: r=0.16, P=0.08,
GTN%: r=0.09, P=0.3) on the test results were found. Conclusions: FMD% was
found to be rather independent of age or BMI. The anatomical vessel size ha
d an influence on the test results, which was more obvious in female patien
ts. Our data indicate the necessity of further methodological studies, in l
arger, community-based populations. In particular, it needs to be clarified
, whether vessel size or even gender-specific correction factors are requir
ed when using this technique in routine clinical practice. (C) 2000 Elsevie
r Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.