Flow-mediated vasodilation is augmented in a corkscrew collateral artery compared with that in a native artery in patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger disease).

BACKGROUND

A healthy endothelium maintains vascular tone and structure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate endothelial function in corkscrew collateral arteries in Buerger disease.

METHODS

We measured flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in corkscrew arteries in 26 patients with Buerger disease, in control arteries in 26 healthy subjects, and in native arteries in 16 patients with Buerger disease.

RESULTS

Hyperemic flow was lower in corkscrew arteries than in native arteries in patients with Buerger disease and in control arteries in healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between hyperemic flow in patients with Buerger disease in whom measurements were performed in native arteries and that in healthy subjects. FMD was lower in corkscrew arteries and native arteries in patients with Buerger disease than in control arteries in healthy subjects. There was no significant difference between FMD in corkscrew arteries in patients with Buerger disease and in that in native arteries. The ratio of FMD to hyperemic flow was significantly smaller in native arteries in patients with Buerger disease than in corkscrew arteries and in control arteries in healthy subjects (5.5 ± 6.2 vs 8.8 ± 8.9 and 9.6 ± 7.6 mL/min, P < .001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the ratio of FMD to hyperemic flow between corkscrew arteries in Buerger disease and control arteries in healthy subjects. Nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation was similar in all leg arteries.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial function of a corkscrew collateral artery in patients with Buerger disease is maintained, while endothelial function is impaired in a native artery in Buerger disease.