Complex assessment of episodes of ischemia and vasomotor function of vascular endothelium in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

Value of functional state of endothelium in assessment of episodes of ischemia was studied in 93 patients (52 men and 41 women, mean age 58.3 +/- 4.8 years) divided into 2 groups. Group I comprised 47 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type II diabetes, group 2 comprised 46 patients with IHD without disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. Patients of these groups had similar sex, age, and main risk factors. Examination included Holter ECG monitoring, stress test, echocardiography, test with reactive hyperemia (ultrasound measurement of endothelium dependent vasodilation of brachial artery). Number of painless ischemic episodes (PIE), total duration of episodes of ischemia, maximal depth of ST-segment lowering were greater in patients of group I compared with group 2. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative relationship between endothelial dysfunction and number and duration of episodes of ischemia, time interval between appearances of pain and ischemic ST depression.