Risk Stratification for Postoperative Cardiovascular Events via Noninvasive Assessment of Endothelial Function

BACKGROUND: Brachial artery endothelial function is impaired in individuals with atherosclerosis and coronary risk factors and improves with risk reduction therapy. However, the predictive value of brachial artery endothelial dysfunction for future cardiovascular events is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We preoperatively examined brachial artery vasodilation using ultrasound in 187 patients undergoing vascular surgery. Patients were prospectively followed for 30 days after surgery. Forty-five patients had a postoperative event, including cardiac death (3), myocardial infarction (12), unstable angina/ischemic ventricular fibrillation (2), stroke (3), or elevated troponin I, reflecting myocardial necrosis (25).…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• AH
  American Heart Association
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: HL-60886