Flow-mediated Dilation of the Brachial Artery in Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy.

Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) comprise chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. HDP complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide and carry significant risks of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the derangement and characteristics of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) in women with HDP. Methods: The BAFMD of the right brachial artery of 80 women with HDP (pregnant HDP), 80 normotensive pregnant women (pregnant non-HDP), and 80 healthy nonpregnant women (nonpregnant controls) was evaluated with B-mode ultrasound. The age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), brachial artery diameter, and BAFMD of the participants were compared. P ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: The pregnant HDP group had significantly lower mean BAFMD compared to pregnant non-HDP and nonpregnant controls (6.9% ± 2.53% vs. 8.32% ± 3.4% vs. 9.4% ± 2.68%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean BAFMD of the pregnant HDP subgroups: preeclampsia (5.81% ± 1.7%) versus gestational hypertension (6.43% ± 3.02%); P = 0.57. BAFMD diminished with advancing gestational age in both the pregnant HDP and pregnant non-HDP groups. On regression analysis, BAFMD was a poor marker for HDP, while BMI was an independent predictor for HDP. Conclusion: Even though HDP were associated with significantly diminished BAFMD, it was not a good marker for HDP.

Ultrasonographic Study of the Effects of Essential Hypertension on the Luminal Diameter and Doppler Velocimetric Indices of the Abdominal Aorta in Adults.

Objective: To investigate the effects of essential hypertension on the luminal diameter (caliber) and Doppler velocimetric indices of the abdominal aorta (AA) in adult patients with systemic hypertension. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive comparative study of 254 participants (127 with essential hypertension and 127 age/sex-matched controls). Their anthropometric parameters, fasting blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, and triplex sonography of the suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aorta (Peak systolic velocity, PSV; End-diastolic velocity, EDV; Resistive Index, RI; and luminal diameter) were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the male subjects was 64.02 ± 10.02 years, while the mean age of the male controls was 63.14 ± 10.52 years (P > 0.05). The mean age of female subjects was 61.23 ± 10.09 years, while the mean age of the female controls was 61.76 ± 10.26 years (P > 0.05). The age group 60 - 69 years had the highest number of subjects and controls. The mean duration of hypertension in the subjects was 12.5 ± 5.2 years. The suprarenal and infrarenal abdominal aortic diameters (AAD) were higher in males than age-matched female counterparts. AAD increased with age mostly in hypertensive male subjects. PSV (in males) and RI (in both sexes) were elevated in hypertensive subjects compared to controls, while EDV (in both sexes) was significantly lower in subjects than controls. Multivariate linear regression showed that age and diastolic blood pressure were significant independent predictors for both suprarenal and infrarenal AADs. Conclusion: Systemic hypertension causes structural and hemodynamic changes in the abdominal aorta which are detectable on triplex sonography.

Correlation between hysterosalpingography diagnosis and final hysterolaparoscopy with dye-test diagnosis in women with utero-tubal infertility: A cross-sectional study of the implication for which test should be the first-line investigation.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of hysterosalpingography in diagnosis of uterine and/or tubal factor infertility, using hysterolaparoscopy with dye test as the gold standard with an implication for which test should be the first-line investigation. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 96 women who underwent hysterosalpingography and hysterolaparoscopy with dye test. All women within reproductive age group with utero-tubal infertility who underwent both hysterosalpingography and hysterolaparoscopy with dye-test procedure were included. The outcome measures were proportions of tubal blockage and intrauterine pathology. Individual and overall mean accuracy were calculated for hysterosalpingography, using hysterolaparoscopy with dye test as the gold standard. Patient had procedure of hysterosalpingography first and both laparoscopic surgeons and patients were blinded to the outcome of hysterolaparoscopy with dye test until analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Overall, 128 women were assessed for eligibility while 96 women finally completed the study. Hysterosalpingography demonstrated diagnostic accuracy of 77.8% (p < 0.001), 76.3% (p < 0.001) and 78.3% (p < 0.001) for right, left and bilateral tubal blockage, respectively. Overall accuracy of hysterosalpingography tubal factor assessment was 77.4 ± 0.8% (95% confidence interval = 76.5% to 78.4%). Hysterosalpingography showed an accuracy of 85.7%, 86.6% and 76.7% for right, left and bilateral hydrosalpinx, respectively, given overall diagnostic accuracy of 83.0 ± 5.1% (95% confidence interval = 77.9% to 88.1%). Overall accuracy of hysterosalpingography in diagnosing intrauterine pathology was 68.5 ± 9.8% (95% confidence interval = 53.9% to 83.1%). Conclusion: Hysterosalpingography detects tubal blockade and intrauterine pathology poorly compared to hysterolaparoscopy with dye test. Hysterosalpingography may face unpredictable clinical situations biased by technological error, leading to unsuccessful evaluation and uncertain diagnosis. Although the cost-effectiveness, risk of surgery or anaesthesia flaws hysterolaparoscopy with dye test. Hysterosalpingography should not be the first-line utero-tubal assessment tool rather hysterolaparoscopy with dye test.

Correlation of Foetal Liver Length with Gestational Age and Foetal Weight in Pregnant Nigerian Women.

Background: This study aims to determine the relationship(s) of fetal liver length (FLL) to the gestational age, biometric parameters (BPD, FL, AC, HC), and fetal weight in third trimester pregnancies. Methodology: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 400 fetuses in normal third trimester pregnancies recruited from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The participants were between 20-45 years of age and their gestational ages ranged from 27-40weeks. The FLL, liver thickness and transverse diameter were measured on B-mode ultrasound. Fetal liver volume (FLV) was calculated using the ellipsoid formula. The expected gestational age (EGA) was determined from the date of the last menstrual period (LMP), early first-trimester crown-rump length (CRL), or early second-trimester biparietal diameter (BPD) ultrasound. The estimated gestational age (EGA) and EFW were calculated using computer-assisted analysis of ultrasound fetal biometrics. Results: The mean height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were 1.62±0.08m, 72.07±13.26kg and 27±4.70kg/m2 respectively. FLL had a linear relationship and a positive correlation with EGA and EFW. There was also a positive correlation between FLL and fetal biometrics, maternal weight, and BMI. Percentile distribution of FLL and FLV for the GA 27-40weeks was developed. Conclusion: FLL could be used to predict GA in normal pregnancies especially when LMP is uncertain.

Fetal Gestational Age Determination using Ultrasound Placental Thickness.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study are to sonographically measure the placental thickness (PT) in normal fetuses; to correlate it with gestational age (GA), fetal growth parameters, and estimated fetal weight (EFW); and to design a nomogram for the derived PT measurements. METHODS: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study on 400 women with apparently normal pregnancy within the age range of 18-45 years recruited from the Antenatal Clinic of our hospital. The fetal GA was estimated by the last menstrual period (LMP). The fetal growth parameters were determined using standard sonographic methods while the PT was measured at the level of the umbilical cord insertion site. PT was then correlated with GA, fetal growth parameters, and the EFW. RESULTS: The mean PT (mean ± standard deviation) in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters and the whole duration of pregnancy were 14.5 ± 0.3 mm, 24.6 ± 3.9 mm, 34.8 ± 2.8 mm, and 29.6 ± 7.1 mm, respectively. PT ranged from 13.5 ± 1.9 mm at 11 weeks to 39.1 ± 0.6 mm at 40 weeks. PT (in mm) had a linear relationship and a statistically significant positive correlation with GA (in weeks) in all the trimesters, with most significant correlation recorded in the 2nd trimester (r = 0.79). There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between PT and the fetal growth parameters (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length and crown-rump length), and EFW. PT nomogram was developed from 11 to 40 weeks of gestation using a scatter plot with 95% confidence interval for our locality. CONCLUSION: PT has a linear relationship with GA, fetal growth parameters, and EFW and it can be used along with other fetal growth parameters to increase the accuracy for predicting GA in normal pregnancies, especially when the subject is not sure of or does not know her LMP.

Ultrasonographic characterisation of obstructive uropathy in Nigerian women with uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of upper renal tract obstructive changes in women with uterine fibroids using ultrasonography (USG). METHODS: We enrolled 140 women with uterine fibroids and performed USG of the uterus and upper renal tract with full and empty urinary bladders, respectively. The number of fibroid nodules and the uterine volume were determined. The presence of hydronephrosis was graded and documented. Uterine volumes >200 cm3 were denoted as large and vice versa. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: The median uterine volume was 556 cm3. Application of a 200 cm3 cut-off value yielded 126 (90%) large uterine volumes and 14 (10%) small uterine volumes. Of the 140 women enrolled, 52 (37.1%) had renal backpressure changes. Of these 52 patients, 51 (98.1%) had uterine volumes >200 cm3. Both kidneys were affected in the vast majority (36 out of 52 = 69.2%) of those with renal backpressure changes, and 23 (44.2%) of the 52 women with renal backpressure changes had mild (Grade 1) hydronephrosis, while 25 (48.1%) had moderate (Grade 2) hydronephrosis. When unilateral, however, backpressure changes were significantly more common on the right side. CONCLUSION: Approximately one in three women with fibroids had renal backpressure changes in this study. Large uterine volume is a key predisposing factor. Routine sonographic assessment of fibroids should include a focused/targeted evaluation of the kidneys.

Doppler sonography of perifibroid and intrafibroid arteries of uterine leiomyomas.

OBJECTIVE: To sonographically evaluate the dominant fibroid nodule vascularity and flow velocity pattern of perifibroid and intrafibroid arteries. METHODS: We recruited 140 women with uterine fibroids. Their uteri were scanned to determine the vascularity of fibroid nodules and the Doppler indices of the fibroid arteries. RESULTS: The median volume of the dominant leiomyoma nodule was 133 cm3 (range=1.5-2,575 cm3). Eighty-three subjects (59.3%) had a dominant leiomyoma nodule volume of ≤200.0 cm3 while the volume of the dominant leiomyoma nodule was >200.0 cm3 in 57 (40.7%) subjects. The dominant fibroid nodule was vascular in 137 (97.9%) subjects and avascular in 3 (2.1%). All the perifibroid artery indices (except the end-diastolic velocity [EDV] and diastolic average ratio [DAR]) are significantly higher than those of the intrafibroid artery. The mean Doppler indices of perifibroid vs. intrafibroid arteries as follows: peak systolic velocity (PSV; 52.1 vs. 45.4 cm/s); EDV (21.1 vs. 22.4 cm/s); time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMX; 31.5 vs. 30.4 cm/s); time- averaged mean velocity (Tmean; 14.3 vs. 13.8 cm/s); pulsatility index (PI; 1.1 vs. 0.8); resistive index (RI; 0.6 vs. 0.5); systolic-diastolic ratio (SDR; 2.7 vs. 2.1); impedance index (ImI; 2.7 vs. 2.1); and DAR (0.66 vs. 0.74); P<0.001 for all indices. CONCLUSION: The predominant pattern of fibroid vascularity is peripheral vascularity and the perifibroid artery indices (except EDV and DAR) are significantly higher than those of the intrafibroid artery. Recurrent fibroids in women with previous myomectomy had significantly higher intrafibroid PI, RI, SDR, and ImI than those without previous myomectomy.

The Relationship Between Glycaemic Control and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Nigerian Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic risk factors associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) include Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity and dyslipidaemia. Prevention or management of these risk factors with glycaemic control, weight reduction and low serum lipid levels respectively have been reported to reduce the risk of NAFLD or slow its progression. Since ultrasound (USS) is a safe and reliable method of identifying fatty changes in the liver, this study was done to determine the relationship between glycaemic control and ultrasound diagnosed NAFLD in T2DM. METHODOLOGY: Demographic data, anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum lipids of 80 T2DM subjects aged 40-80 years were taken. Their livers were evaluated using B-mode ultrasound, and the data obtained were statistically analysed using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Fifty-five of all participants (68.8%) were diagnosed with NAFLD sonographic grades 1, 2 and 3 made up of 13 (16.3%), 26 (32.5%) and 16 (20.0%), respectively while 25 (37.2%) had grade 0. The prevalence of NAFLD in T2DM varied significantly with BMI (p = 0.001) and glycaemic control (p = 0.048) while the USS grades of NAFLD varied significantly with age (p = 0.043) and BMI (p = 0.006). The independent strong predictors of NAFLD were overweight (r = 0.409, p = 0.012, OR = 6.626) and obesity (r = 0.411 p = 0.009, OR = 11.508), while poor glycaemic control (r = 0.270, p = 0.015, OR = 3.473) was a moderate independent predictor. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of NAFLD increases with increasing BMI and HBA1c in T2DM, while its ultrasound grade varies with BMI. Overweight, obesity and poor glycaemic control are independent predictors of NAFLD.

Ultrasonographic quantification of pleural effusion: comparison of four formulae.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlations of ultrasonographically estimated volumes of pleural fluid with the actual effusion volume in order to determine the most reliable formula. METHODS: In 32 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed pleural effusion, an ultrasound estimation was made of the volume of effusion using four different formulae, including two in the erect position and two in the supine position. Closed-tube thoracostomy drainage using a 28-Fr chest tube was performed. The total drainage was calculated after confirmation of full lung re-expansion and complete drainage by plain chest radiographs and ultrasound. The ultrasonographically estimated volume was compared to the actual total volume drained as the gold standard. RESULTS: There were 14 female and 18 male subjects. The mean age of all subjects was 41.56±18.34 years. Fifty percent of the effusions were in the left hemithorax. Metastatic disease accounted for the plurality of effusions (31.2%). The mean total volume drained for all the subjects was 2,770±1,841 mL. The ultrasonographically estimated volumes for the erect 1, erect 2, supine 1, and supine 2 formulae were 1,816±753 mL, 1,520±690 mL, 2,491±1,855 mL, and 1,393±787 mL, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r) for the estimate of each formula were 0.75, 0.81, 0.62, and 0.63, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although both erect formulae showed similar correlations, the erect 2 formula (Goecke 2) was most closely correlated with the actual volume drained.

Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry of Uterine Leiomyomas in Nigerian Women / Dopplervelocimetria da artéria uterina de leiomiomas uterinos em mulheres nigerianas

Abstract Objective To describe the blood flow velocities and impedance indices changes in the uterine arteries of leiomyomatous uteri using Doppler sonography. Methods This was a prospective, case-control study conducted on 140 premenopausal women with sonographic diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma and 140 premenopausal controls without leiomyomas. Pelvic sonography was performed to diagnose and characterize the leiomyomas. The hemodynamics of the ascending branches of both main uterine arteries was assessed by Doppler interrogation. Statistical analysis was performed mainly using non-parametric tests. Results The median uterine volume of the subjects was 556 cm3, while that of the controls was 90.5 cm3 (p < 0.001). The mean peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMX), time-averaged mean velocity (Tmean), acceleration time (AT), acceleration index (AI), diastolic/systolic ratio (DSR), diastolic average ratio (DAR), and inverse pulsatility index (PI) were significantly higher in the subjects (94.2 cm/s, 29.7 cm/s, 49.1 cm/s, 25.5 cm/s, 118 ms, 0.8, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8 respectively) compared with the controls (54.2 cm/s, 7.7 cm/s, 20.0 cm/s, 10.0 cm/s, 92.0 ms, 0.6, 0.1, 0.4, and 0.4 respectively); p < 0.001 for all values. Conversely, the mean PI, resistivity index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (SDR) and impedance index (ImI) of the subjects (1.52, 0.70, 3.81, and 3.81 respectively) were significantly lower than those of the controls (2.38, 0.86, 7.23, and 7.24 respectively); p < 0.001 for all values. Conclusion There is a significantly increased perfusion of leiomyomatous uteri that is most likely due to uterine enlargement.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever as velocidades do fluxo sanguíneo e as alterações dos índices de impedância nas artérias uterinas leiomiomatoso utilizando a ultrassonografia Doppler. Métodos Estudo prospectivo, caso-controle, realizado em 140 mulheres pré-menopáusicas com diagnóstico ultrassonográfico de leiomioma uterino e em 140 controles na pré-menopausa sem leiomiomas. A ultrassonografia pélvica foi realizada para diagnosticar e caracterizar os leiomiomas. A hemodinâmica dos ramos ascendentes de ambas as artérias uterinas principais foi avaliada por meio de interrogatório Doppler. A análise estatística foi feita principalmente por meio de testes não paramétricos. Resultados A média do volume uterino dos das pacientes foi de 556 cm3, enquanto a dos controles foi de 90,5 cm3 (p < 0,001). A média de velocidade de pico sistólico (VPS), a velocidade diastólica final (VDF), a velocidade máxima do tempo médio (VMTM), a velocidade média do tempo médio (VMdTM), o tempo de aceleração (TA), o índice de aceleração (IA), a relação diástole/sístole (RDS), a proporção diastólica média (PDM) e o índice de pulsatilidade (IP) inversa foram significativamente maiores em pacientes (94,2 cm/s, 29,7 cm/s, 49,1 cm/s, 25,5 cm/s, 118 ms, 0,8, 0,3, 0,6 e 0,8, respectivamente) do que nos controles (54,2 cm/s, 7,7 cm/s, 20,0 cm/s, 10,0 cm/s, 92,0 ms, 0,6, 0,1, 0,4 e 0,4, respectivamente); p < 0,001 para todos os valores. Por outro lado, o IPmédio, o índice de resistividade (IR), a relação sístole/diástole (RSD) e o índice de impedância (II) nas pacientes (1,52, 0,70, 3,81 e 3,81, respectivamente) foram significativamente mais baixos do que os dos controles (2,38, 0,86, 7,23 e 7,24, respectivamente); p < 0,001 para todos os valores. Conclusão Existe um aumento significativo da perfusão dos úteros leiomiomatosos, que provavelmente se deve ao alargamento uterino.

Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry of Uterine Leiomyomas in Nigerian Women.

Objective To describe the blood flow velocities and impedance indices changes in the uterine arteries of leiomyomatous uteri using Doppler sonography. Methods This was a prospective, case-control study conducted on 140 premenopausal women with sonographic diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma and 140 premenopausal controls without leiomyomas. Pelvic sonography was performed to diagnose and characterize the leiomyomas. The hemodynamics of the ascending branches of both main uterine arteries was assessed by Doppler interrogation. Statistical analysis was performed mainly using non-parametric tests. Results The median uterine volume of the subjects was 556 cm3, while that of the controls was 90.5 cm3 (p < 0.001). The mean peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMX), time-averaged mean velocity (Tmean), acceleration time (AT), acceleration index (AI), diastolic/systolic ratio (DSR), diastolic average ratio (DAR), and inverse pulsatility index (PI) were significantly higher in the subjects (94.2 cm/s, 29.7 cm/s, 49.1 cm/s, 25.5 cm/s, 118 ms, 0.8, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8 respectively) compared with the controls (54.2 cm/s, 7.7 cm/s, 20.0 cm/s, 10.0 cm/s, 92.0 ms, 0.6, 0.1, 0.4, and 0.4 respectively); p < 0.001 for all values. Conversely, the mean PI, resistivity index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (SDR) and impedance index (ImI) of the subjects (1.52, 0.70, 3.81, and 3.81 respectively) were significantly lower than those of the controls (2.38, 0.86, 7.23, and 7.24 respectively); p < 0.001 for all values. Conclusion There is a significantly increased perfusion of leiomyomatous uteri that is most likely due to uterine enlargement.

Objetivo Descrever as velocidades do fluxo sanguíneo e as alterações dos índices de impedância nas artérias uterinas leiomiomatoso utilizando a ultrassonografia Doppler. Métodos Estudo prospectivo, caso-controle, realizado em 140 mulheres pré-menopáusicas com diagnóstico ultrassonográfico de leiomioma uterino e em 140 controles na pré-menopausa sem leiomiomas. A ultrassonografia pélvica foi realizada para diagnosticar e caracterizar os leiomiomas. A hemodinâmica dos ramos ascendentes de ambas as artérias uterinas principais foi avaliada por meio de interrogatório Doppler. A análise estatística foi feita principalmente por meio de testes não paramétricos. Resultados A média do volume uterino dos das pacientes foi de 556 cm3, enquanto a dos controles foi de 90,5 cm3 (p < 0,001). A média de velocidade de pico sistólico (VPS), a velocidade diastólica final (VDF), a velocidade máxima do tempo médio (VMTM), a velocidade média do tempo médio (VMdTM), o tempo de aceleração (TA), o índice de aceleração (IA), a relação diástole/sístole (RDS), a proporção diastólica média (PDM) e o índice de pulsatilidade (IP) inversa foram significativamente maiores em pacientes (94,2 cm/s, 29,7 cm/s, 49,1 cm/s, 25,5 cm/s, 118 ms, 0,8, 0,3, 0,6 e 0,8, respectivamente) do que nos controles (54,2 cm/s, 7,7 cm/s, 20,0 cm/s, 10,0 cm/s, 92,0 ms, 0,6, 0,1, 0,4 e 0,4, respectivamente); p < 0,001 para todos os valores. Por outro lado, o IP médio, o índice de resistividade (IR), a relação sístole/diástole (RSD) e o índice de impedância (II) nas pacientes (1,52, 0,70, 3,81 e 3,81, respectivamente) foram significativamente mais baixos do que os dos controles (2,38, 0,86, 7,23 e 7,24, respectivamente); p < 0,001 para todos os valores. Conclusão Existe um aumento significativo da perfusão dos úteros leiomiomatosos, que provavelmente se deve ao alargamento uterino.

Sonographic Evaluation of Endothelial Function in Brachial Arteries of Adult Stroke Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation on sonography is used to evaluate endothelial dysfunction, which is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis and predates structural atherosclerotic lesions by many years. Atherosclerosis has been implicated in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to determine the association between brachial flow-mediated dilatation, the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and acute stroke. METHODS: We evaluated right brachial arteries of 150 participants (50 stroke patients, 50 patients with cardiovascular risk factors, and 50 healthy control individuals) with B-mode sonography before and 5 minutes after sphygmomanometer cuff application to their forearms. Analysis of variance for multiple comparisons was used between each group. RESULTS: Mean ages of the stroke, risk factor, and control groups ± SD were 57.5 ± 14.8, 52.4 ± 16.0, and 56.1 ± 14.9 years, respectively (P = .235). Flow-mediated dilatation rates were 4.37% ± 1.50%, 5.62% ± 1.23%, and 10.33% ± 1.96% in the stroke, risk factor, and control groups (P ≤ .001). Dilatation was 3.79% ± 0.92% in ischemic stroke compared with 6.02% ± 1.62% in intracerebral hemorrhage (P < .001), but there was no significant difference in dilatation between ischemic stroke subtypes according to the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification (P = .301). CONCLUSIONS: Brachial flow-mediated dilatation was significantly lower in patients with acute stroke compared with controls matched for vascular risk factors and healthy controls. Decreased vascular endothelial function in stroke patients was particularly related to cerebral infarction compared with intracerebral hemorrhage. Brachial flow-mediated dilatation did not differentiate ischemic stroke subtypes by the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification. Flow-mediated dilatation was therefore found to be a marker of cardiovascular risk and a probable reactant in the acute phase of stroke.