Differences in Endothelial Function between Ischemic Stroke Subtypes

Background: Endothelial dysfunction plays a key role in the development of ischemic stroke. However, the relationship between endothelial function and stroke subtypes has not been thoroughly examined. Methods: We measured the percentage of brachial flow-mediated vasodilatation (%FMD) in 62 patients with chronic stroke and 13 age- and sex-matched control patients. Patients with stroke included those classified into large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), and small vessel occlusion (SVO) according to the criteria of the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification. Results: %FMD was significantly lower in the patients with any of LAA, CE, and SVO than in the control patients. %FMD was also significantly lower in men than in women as well as in patients with than without hypertension or diabetes mellitus. After adjustment for confounding factors, the patients with LAA and CE but not SVO had lower %FMD compared to the controls. Conclusions: Our results suggest that endothelial function in conduit artery was impaired in patients with LAA and CE regardless with or without concomitant vascular risk factors.