Impact of flow-mediated dilatation and coronary calcification in providing complementary information on the severity of coronary artery disease.

Background And Aims: Endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery calcification (CAC) may represent two distinct and separate processes in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. However, the interaction between these factors in determining the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) is uncertain.

Methods: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured by high-resolution ultrasound before coronary angiography, in 156 patients undergoing coronary CT angiography on suspicion of CAD (M/F 100/56, age 67 ± 11yrs).