Endothelial dysfunction and dynamics of cytokine and C-reactive protein levels in chronic heart failure patients

Abstract

Vasoregulatory endothelial function and dynamics of chronic inflammatory markers were investigated in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), receiving standard therapy including ACE inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors plus aspirin. One hundred twenty CHF patients were examined at hospitalization (first 24 hours), and 20 and 90 days later, in out-patient settings. All participants were divided into two groups - with II and III functional classes of HF, by NYHA classification. In both groups, there were patients who received aspirin plus ACE inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors only. Vasoregulatory endothelial function and dynamics of chronic inflammatory marker levels were measured in all patients. Among individuals receiving ACE inhibitors, significant decrease in inflammatory marker concentrations was observed by 90 day of the follow-up, together with clinical status improvement. In ACE inhibitors plus aspirin group, no significant decrease of these parameters was registered. Vasoregulatory endothelial function did not change in both groups. Treatment with ACE inhibitors, but not ACE inhibitors and aspirin, was associated with reduction of inflammatory marker levels and clinical status improvement.