Impact of catheterization on shear-mediated arterial dilation in healthy young men

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2020 Nov;120(11):2525-2532. doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04473-8. Epub 2020 Aug 28.

Abstract

Purpose: Animal studies have shown that endothelial denudation abolishes vasodilation in response to increased shear stress. Interestingly, shear-mediated dilation has been reported to be reduced, but not abolished, in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients following catheterization. However, it is not known whether this resulted from a priori endothelial dysfunction in this diseased population. In this study, we evaluated shear-mediated dilation following catheterization in healthy young men.

Methods: Twenty-six (age: 24.4 ± 3.8 years, BMI: 24.3 ± 2.8 kg m-2, VO2peak: 50.5 ± 8.8 ml/kg/min) healthy males underwent unilateral transradial catheterization. Shear-mediated dilation of both radial arteries was measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) pre-, and 7 days post-catheterization.

Results: FMD was reduced in the catheterized arm [9.3 ± 4.1% to 4.3 ± 4.1% (P < 0.001)] post-catheterization, whereas no change was observed in the control arm [8.4 ± 3.8% to 7.3 ± 3.8% (P = 0.168)]. FMD was completely abolished in the catheterized arm in five participants. Baseline diameter (P = 0.001) and peak diameter during FMD (P = 0.035) were increased in the catheterized arm 7 days post-catheterization (baseline: 2.3 ± 0.3 to 2.6 ± 0.2 mm, P < 0.001, peak: 2.5 ± 0.3 to 2.7 ± 0.3 mm, P = 0.001), with no change in the control arm (baseline: 2.3 ± 0.3 to 2.3 ± 0.3 mm, P = 0.288, peak: 2.5 ± 0.3 to 2.5 ± 0.3 mm, P = 0.608).

Conclusion: This is the first study in young healthy individuals with intact a priori endothelial function to provide evidence of impaired shear-mediated dilation following catheterization. When combined with earlier studies in CAD patients, our data suggest the catheterization impairs artery function in humans.

Keywords: Catheterization-induced damage; Flow-mediated dilation; Healthy young males; Intact endothelium.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Catheterization / methods
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Radial Artery / physiology*
  • Vascular Access Devices / adverse effects*
  • Vasodilation*