The purpose of the research study of the effectiveness of carvedilol on indicators of endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).
Material and Methods: The study included 42 patients with chronic heart failure with reduced myocardial contractility of the left ventricle. Carvedilol dose titration was performed with 3,125 to the target dose of 25-50 mg / day. Duration of treatment - 6 months. Endothelial function was assessed by brachial artery doppler ultrasound procedure D. S. Celemajer (1992) using reactive hyperemia and nitroglycerin.
Results of the study: Long-term therapy with carvedilol significantly improves endothelial dysfunction in patients examined. The diameter of the brachial artery alone increased by 8.8% (P <0.01) from baseline. Systolic, diastolic and mean blood flow velocity increased by 2.9, 6.7 and 30% (P <0.001) and an increase in endothelium-dependent vasodilation index by 38.8% (P<0.001). Resistive and pulsatility indices decreased by 5.9 and 9% (P <0.001), and the shear stress at rest and after the stimulus - 10.9 and 5.8% (P <0.001). Brachial artery sensitivity to shear stress significantly increased by 60%. Thus, long-term use of carvedilol in patients with heart failure contributed to the improvement of indicators of endothelial dysfunction.
