Improved endothelial function by the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist S 18886 in patients with coronary artery disease treated with aspirin.

Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the effect of S 18886, a specific thromboxane A(2) receptor antagonist, on endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: Impaired release of endothelial vasodilator substances and increased release of vasoconstrictor prostanoids both contribute to endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis. One unresolved question is whether vasoconstrictor prostanoids are still produced and affect vascular tone or alter endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients treated with aspirin.

Characterization of peripheral arterial wall motion by Doppler tissue echography: a validation study.

Doppler tissue echography (DTE) has been proposed for arterial wall-motion analysis. However, it is not known if DTE gives precise measurements of arterial displacement. Therefore, we used a pig aorta, in vitro model to study arterial wall velocities.

Evaluation of carotid artery and aortic intima-media thickness measurements for exclusion of significant coronary atherosclerosis in patients scheduled for heart valve surgery.

Objectives: We assessed the value of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and thoracic aorta intima-media thickness (AoIMT) in ruling out significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients scheduled for heart valve surgery.

Background: Evaluation of CAD is needed in most patients undergoing heart valve surgery because of the high surgical morbidity in patients with significant CAD, raising the need for sensitive tests to exclude CAD. Coronary angiography is the reference standard, but this invasive procedure is not cost-effective, because more than two-thirds of these patients do not have significant CAD.

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with sickle cell disease is related to selective impairment of shear stress-mediated vasodilation.

Interactions between the endothelium and erythrocytes may contribute to the vascular complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) plays a major role in the regulation of vasomotor tone in response to wall shear stress (WSS) variations and pharmacologic stimuli. However, little is known about endothelial NO production in patients with steady-state SCD.

[Vasodilator effects of bradykinin on the resistive circulation of the forearm of coronary patients].

This study was undertaken to determine the vascular effects of bradykinin and its modes of action on the resistive circulation of the forearms of coronary patients and healthy volunteers. Two groups were studied: Group I comprising 8 coronary patients with normal left ventricular function and Group II with 8 healthy volunteers. The method of measurement of forearm blood flow was occlusive venous plethysmography with a mercury strain gauge.