[Vasoregulating activity of the endothelium and pulmonary hypertension].

AIM

To examine vasoregulating endothelial activity in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and free of PH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 62 BA patients aged between 19 and 52 entered the trial. They were divided into two groups: 44 with PH and 18 free of it. The control group consisted of 35 healthy subjects. Vasoregulating activity of the vascular wall was studied by tests with reactive hyperemia (endothelium-dependent dilation) and 0.05 mg nitroglycerin (endothelium-dependent dilation).

RESULTS

It was found that BA patients with PH have a dilated brachial artery, abnormal endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery. The artery is low sensitive to shift tension. These changes in functional activity of brachial artery endothelium in BA patients with PH are associated with impaired pulmonary hemodynamics, right ventricular diastolic function.