Abstract
Objective.
To investigate precocious alterations in the artery wall of patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Methods. We evaluated flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries in 16 patients and 16 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Results. FMD of the brachial artery was significantly lower in patients than in controls (6.3 ± 5.2% vs 18.2 ± 2.7; P < .005). IMT was similar in the 2 groups. FMD was significantly reduced in patients with anticardiolipin antibodies IgM. Conclusions. APS correlates closely with precocious atherosclerosis, and the correlation with a type of anticardiolipin antibody may be predictive of more accelerated atherosclerosis.
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