Inflammation but not endothelial dysfunction is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease in dyslipidemic subjects.

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. The present study evaluated endothelial function, inflammatory parameters, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in dyslipidemic patients with or without coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Metabolic profile and inflammatory parameters were determined in dyslipidemic patients with (+CAD, n = 33) and without (-CAD, n = 69) symptomatic CAD.

The presence of abdominal obesity is associated with changes in vascular function independently of other cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: Because of the strong association between abdominal obesity (AO) and other cardiovascular risk factors, it has been difficult to determine which changes in vascular function are directly related to this condition. Our objective was to evaluate the changes in ex-vivo vascular reactivity, circulating levels of adipokines and inflammatory markers associated with the presence of AO in subjects who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) controlling by the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: Subjects scheduled for a CABG with (n=17) and without (n=17) AO (defined as a waist circumference > or =90 cm for male or > or =80 cm for female) whom were matched by several cardiovascular risk factors, were included in the study.