Early diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

The aim of the research was to examine the endothelial dysfunction and to develop the criteria for early diagnosis of CHF. We examined 273 patients, men with postinfarction cardiosclerosis, complicated by heart failure at the age of 40 to 60 years (average age of 53,3 ± 4,9 years). The survey included patients after myocardial infarction with prescription from 6 months to 3 years. All patients underwent an electrocardiogram, the full complex of clinical and biochemical examinations. Besides, patients were assessed by Six-minute walking test, echocar-diography an initial and after 3 and 6 months of the treatment. Endothelial function was estimated by brachial artery Doppler procedure by applying reactive hyperemia. The outcomes evaluated by the following parameters. In patients of CHF the process of left ventricular remodeling associated with vascular remodeling caused by endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction in patients with CHF is associated with the progression of the disease and is characterized by decreased of endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV), severe paradoxical vasoconstriction, significant reduction in velocity parameters, increased secretion of humoral markers of endothelial dysfunction - von Willebrand factor.