Correlation between flow-mediated dilation and erectile dysfunction.

We hypothesized that there is a correlation between the magnitude of endothelial-mediated dilation of brachial artery and erectile function in patients. Thus, flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD)-used to assess the function of endothelium-was measured in 56 patients (aged approximately 35 years) having erectile dysfunction for 6-12 months. The patients were grouped based on International Index of Erectile Dysfunction: severe (5-10), moderate (11-16), mild to moderate (17-21), and mild (22-25).

Correlation of flow mediated dilation with inflammatory markers in patients with impaired cardiac function. Beneficial effects of inhibition of ACE.

Impaired cardiac function is frequently accompanied by peripheral vascular dysfunction and a pro-inflammatory condition, which may be associated with elevated levels of angiotensin II. We hypothesized that the magnitude of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery of post myocardial infarction patients will correlate with serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and that treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) will increase FMD by reducing TNFalpha and CRP. Patients were treated with low dose (10 mg/day) quinapril (Q) or enalapril (E) and their effects on FMD and inflammatory markers were evaluated after 8 and 12 weeks.

The effect of ciprofibrate on flow-mediated dilation and inflammatory markers in patients with combined hyperlipidemia.

Impairment of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) has been shown to be associated with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia and reduction of cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels can improve FMD. In hyperlipidemia the role of inflammatory substances on endothelial function requires further clarification. In patients with combined hyperlipidemia (n = 29), the capacity of FMD was weaker whereas the levels of interleukin (IL)-lalpha, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), and fibrinogen were higher compared to normolipemic controls with normal FMD adjusted for age and sex.

Lack of a hypotensive effect with rapid administration of a new aqueous formulation of intravenous amiodarone.

Hypotension is the most frequent adverse event reported with intravenous amiodarone. Hypotension has been attributed to the vasoactive solvents of the standard formulation (Cordarone IV) and is not dose related, but related to the rate of infusion. Drug labeling calls for intravenous amiodarone to be administered over 10 minutes.