Peripheral vascular endothelial function testing as a noninvasive indicator of coronary artery disease

Objectives We studied whether assessment of endothelium-dependent vasomotio n (ED) with brachial artery ultrasound (BAUS) imaging predicts the presence or absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) as defined by exercise myocard ial perfusion imaging (ExMPI). Background Abnormalities in EDV can be detected in arteries before the deve lopment of overt atherosclerosis, and its presence may predict poor long-te rm prognosis. Brachial artery ultrasound during reactive hyperemia is a non invasive method of assessing peripheral EDV. Methods Clinically-indicated ExMPI along with BAUS were performed in 94 sub jects (43 women, 51 men). Coronary artery disease was defined by myocardial ischemia or infarction on single photon emission computed tomography image s. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after upper arm occlusion was defined as th e percent change in arterial diameter during reactive hyperemia relative to the baseline. Results Subjects with CAD by ExMPI (n=23) had a lower FMD (6.3 +/-0.7%) tha n those without CAD by ExMPI (n=71) (10.5 +/-0.6%; p=0.0004). Flow-mediated dilation was highly predictive for CAD with an odds ratio of 1.32 for each percent decrease in FMD (p=0.001). Based on a receiver-operator analysis, an FMD of 10% was used as a cut-point for further analysis. Twenty-one of 2 3 subjects who were positive for ExMPI had an FMD <10% (sensitivity 91%), w hereas only two of 40 subjects with an FMD<greater than or equal to>10% wer e ExMPI-positive (negative predictive value: 95%). There was a correlation between the number of cardiac risk factors and FMD. Individuals with an FMD <10% exercised for a shorter duration than those with an FMD <greater than or equal to>10% (456 +/- 24 vs. 544 +/- 31 s, respectively; p=0.02). Conclusions Assessment of EDV with BAUS has a high sensitivity and an excel lent negative predictive value for CAD and, thus, has the potential for use as a screening tool to exclude CAD in low-risk subjects. Further standardi zation of BAUS is required, however, before specific cut-points for excludi ng CAD can be established. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2001;38:1843-9) (C) 2001 by t he American College of Cardiology.