ABSTRACT
Background: Endothelial dysfunction is an important pathogenetic mechanism in the development of atherosclerosis. Aim: To evaluate endothelial function in Chilean children and adult subjects and to provide normal values of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in the Chilean population. Subjects and Methods: Flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery was measured by high resolution ultrasonography in healthy children (n=32) and adults (n=69) of both gender, in a group of 8 healthy women during 4 periods of pregnancy and late postpartum, and in 22 men and women with a history of stroke or coronary heart disease. Results: FMD in boys and girls was 9.9±3.6 and 10.0±4.2% respectively (NS). The figures for young women and young men were 11.3±3.8 and 8.6±3.9, respectively (p=0.02); for postmenopausal women and older men, 5.5±6.6 and 7.6±6.7 respectively (NS). During normal pregnancy and postpartum there were no significant changes in FMD. Patients with cardiovascular disease had a FMD of 0.3±5.2%, (p <0.001, with other groups). Conclusions: The present study provides values of FMD in healthy Chilean subjects of different ages, and in patients with coronary heart disease.