Endothelial Function in Stroke Subtypes Using Endopat Technology - Endothelial Function in Stroke Subtypes Using Endopat Technology - Open Access Pub

Background. Endothelial function is characterized by the vasodilator capacity of blood vessel smooth muscle cells mediated by nitric oxide. Some studies have shown an inverse association between the endothelial function and the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). The relationship between endothelial dysfunction and stroke based on several studies has shown that is altered in all stroke subtypes especially lacunar strokes. Methods. We aimed to investigate endothelial function by EndoPAT device in relation to stroke subtypes. We investigate too the correlations between endothelial function and IMT and we study possible interactions with age, sex, traditional risk factors and severity of stroke. Subsequent patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. They were divided according with the etiological mechanism of stroke (TOAST classification). Endothelial function was assessed with finger plethysmography by the EndoPAT device that gave Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) and Augmentation Index (AI). Results. Patients with a cardioembolic stroke had a RHI higher than atherotrombotic or lacunar stroke. There was a negative correlation between RHI and IMT and positive between AI and age. Conclusions. The endothelial function is different between stroke subtypes with higher values of RHI in the cardioembolic respect to lacunar or atherotrombotic. The RHI is correlated with the atherosclerosis by the negative relationship with the IMT. The AI that shows the rigidity in the arteries increased with the age. DOI10.14302/issn.2470-5020.jnrt-14-558 Endothelial function is characterized by the vasodilator capacity of blood vessel smooth muscle cells mediated by nitric oxide 1. In recent years, a number of experimental and clinical studies have established the role of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the development of cerebrovascular diseases 2. ED is an early event of atherosclerosis that precedes structural atherosclerotic changes in the vascular wall. As the major regulator of vascular homeostasis the endothelium maintains the balance between vasodilatation and vasoconstriction. Damage of the endothelium upsets this balance and initiates a number of events that promote or exacerbate atherosclerosis; these include increased endothelial permeability, platelet aggregation, leukocyte adhesion and generation of cytokines. Some studies have shown an inverse association between the endothelial function and the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) 3, 4. There are different non-invasive methods for assess the endothelial function. Respect to brachial flow mediated