Key result
Reversing endothelial dysfunction may decrease the risk of acute cardiovascular events.
Why the study?
Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in atherosclerosis, coronary vasoconstriction, and myocardial ischemia, but whether it matters and can be reversed to reduce cardiovascular risk remains a critical question.
Endothelial dysfunction is a key event in atherosclerosis pathogenesis, and its potential reversibility offers a therapeutic target to decrease cardiovascular risk.
Until recently, the endothelium was regarded as a relatively inert cell layer. However, over the past 20 years, research has revealed an extraordinary array of endothelial functions, including control over coagulation, fibrinolysis, arterial tone and vascular growth. Importantly, endothelial dysfunction has been implicated as a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, coronary vasoconstriction and, probably, myocardial ischemia. The recent demonstration that endothelial dysfunction may be reversible raises the possibility of slowing the progression of atherosclerosis or modifying arterial function, or both, to decrease the risk of acute cardiovascular events.
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David S. Celermajer (1997) conducted a review in Endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and its potential reversibility may help decrease the risk of acute cardiovascular events.
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