Endothelial function evaluation in idiopathic vs. ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Aims: In the latest years an emerging interest has risen towards the role of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) since the very first steps of the disease. Since the prevalent etiology of HF is ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), it is still not clear whether the connection with ED is linked to HF itself or to atherosclerosis. The aim is to determine the presence of ED in subjects with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) compared to ICM.

Methods: In this observational study 107 patients were enrolled, 65 of them suffering from IDCM and 42 from ICM. ED was assessed as peripheral arterial tonometry by means of EndoPAT device. The Reactive Hyperaemia Index (RHI) was calculated, ED being established with RHI values ≤1.67 and normal endothelial function >2.00 (grey area between 1.67 and 2.00).

Results: ED, expressed both as RHI ≤1.67 and RHI ≤2.00, showed a similar prevalence in the two groups. However, they differed as regards sex, dyslipidemia and statin use.

Conclusion: Endothelial function, evaluated through peripheral artery tonometry, seems equally compromised in patients with IDCM and ICM.