Impaired endothelial function in coronary heart disease patients with depressive symptomatology.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess whether depressive symptomatology was associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

BACKGROUND

In patients with CHD, the presence of depression is associated with a two to four times increased risk of mortality, but the disease pathways involved are uncertain. Endothelial dysfunction is an established risk factor for cardiovascular events in patients with CHD.

METHODS

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, a measure of endothelial function, was assessed in 143 patients (99 men, 44 women), ages 40 to 84 years (mean age, 63 +/- 10 years), with documented CHD.

RESULTS

Patients with significant depressive symptomatology, as indicated by a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score > or = 10 (n = 47) showed attenuated FMD (p = 0.001) compared with patients that were not depressed (BDI < 10; n = 96). The use of antidepressant medication was associated with improved FMD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The increased risk of cardiovascular events in CHD patients with elevated symptoms of depression may be mediated, in part, by endothelial dysfunction.