Prognostic Value of Endothelial Dysfunction and Coronary Complexity

Incremental Significance of Endothelial Function Assessed by Reactive Hyperemia Peripheral Arterial Tonometry to Improve Risk Stratification in High Risk Patients for Cardiovascular Events

The investigators test the additional clinical value of the physiological assessment of endothelial function to the morphological assessment of coronary complexity and classical risk score in predicting cardiovascular events.

The investigators enroll consecutive, stable high risk patients for cardiovascular events. The reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry index (RHI) was measured before coronary angiography and coronary lesions were assessed angiographically by SYNTAX Scoring system. The investigators all subjects and examined the occurrence of cardiovascular events (CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, unstable angina pectoris, hospitalization for HF, coronary revascularization, or non-fatal aortic and peripheral vascular disease).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Stable, high-risk patients with diabetes mellitus, or more than two conventional coronary risk factors, who are referred for coronary angiography because of angina-like chest symptoms.

Exclusion Criteria:

• An ejection fraction < 50%
• Moderate to severe valvular heart disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Allergy to latex
• Significant endocrine, hepatic, renal, or inflammatory disease
• cerebrovascular disease