Onset of peripheral arterial disease: role of endothelin in endothelial dysfunction.

Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are understood to contribute to the onset of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and endothelin (ET) may play an important role in this process. This study investigated the role of ET in PAD, and its relationships with symptoms, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.

Methods And Results: This cross-sectional study enrolled 141 participants: 66 patients with PAD and intermittent claudication, 37 patients with PAD and critical ischemia, and 38 healthy controls aged under 35 years.

Relationship between noninvasively measured endothelial function and peripheral arterial disease.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between endothelial function by means of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) and the clinical severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods And Results: We examined the brachial artery diameter by ultrasound, before and after ischemia of the arm in 3 groups of participants- group A: healthy individuals under 30 years, without cardiovascular risk factors (n = 30); group B: patients with PAD and ischemic claudication (n = 30); and group C: patients with critical leg ischemia (n = 20). There were no differences between groups B and C, in regard to age, sex, and main cardiovascular risk factor.