Impairment of the Vasodilatation Capability of the Brachial Artery in Patients with Idiopathic Venous Thrombosis

Aim: Determination of the functional capability of the peripheral arteries is increasingly used as an early marker of vessel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate flow-mediated (FMD) and glyceryl trinitrate-mediated (NMD) dilation of the brachial artery in patients with idiopathic venous thrombosis (VT). Methods: Flow-mediated brachial artery dilatation and the dilatation response to glyceryl trinitrate were measured using high-resolution ultrasound in 97 subjects (49 eligible patients of both sexes, mean age 51.5 +/- 14.6 years, with idiopathic venous thrombosis, and 48 age-matched healthy controls). Results: Compared to the control group, FMD was significantly reduced in the group of patients with idiopathic venous thrombosis -4.9% (95% CI 1.1-8.7%) vs. 12.7% (95% CI 7.8-17.6%), p < 0.001. Patients also had diminished NMD of the brachial artery -12.5% (95% CI 6.6-18.4%) vs. 18.5% (95% CI 10.1-26.9%), p < 0.001. In patients, significantly higher levels of circulatory markers (P-selectin, von Willebrand factor) of endothelial dysfunction were registered. Conclusions: Idiopathic venous thrombosis is associated with impaired flow-and GTN-mediated vasodilatory response of the brachial artery. This may suggest involvement of the functional deterioration of the vessel wall in the pathogenesis of idiopathic VT and indicate a relationship between VT and atherothrombosis.