Clinical Implications of Assessing Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve and Plasma Endothelin-1 in Hypertensive Patients

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Abstract
Previous reports have indicated that hypertensive patients who have angina-like chest pain and normal coronary arteriograms have reduced coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) levels. In addition, elevated plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels have been reported to be associated with microvascular angina. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the plasma ET-1 levels and CFVR in patients with chest pain but without coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 66 patients were included in this study. CAD was ruled out by exercise stress test or coronary angiogram. Plasma ET-1 and CFVR measurements were performed in patients with (n=35) and without (n=31) a history of angina-like chest pain. CFVR was measured using adenosine-triphosphate stress transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. The mean ET-1 level was significantly higher and the CFVR was significantly lower in patients in the symptomatic group than in those in the asymptomatic group (ET-1: 3.85±1.24 pg/ml vs. 2.98±1.27 pg/ml, CFVR: 2.26±0.48 vs. 2.77±0.11, respectively). Plasma ET-1 level and CFVR were significantly correlated with each other (−r=0.265, p=0.033). Age, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk factors, and left ventricular mass index were similar between the two groups. The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that age (p=0.008) and plasma ET-1 concentration (p=0.031) had statistically independent associations with CFVR. Attenuated CFVR in the symptomatic hypertensive patients was associated with endothelial dysfunction, which results in elevated plasma ET-1 levels. The link between these two parameters may play a role in the genesis of chest pain in hypertensive patients without CAD.

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