Endothelial Dysfunction by Flow-Mediated Vasodilatation in Chronic Kidney Disease.

INTRODUCTION The last few years have seen a phenomenal increase in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cardiovascular disease remains the most important cause of death in these patients.The present study was conducted to evaluate endothelial dysfunction in CKD patients as compared with controls. METHODS Thirty-five patients of CKD and 32 age and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Flow-mediated vasodilatation was assessed in all individuals. Anthropometric measurements, haematological and biochemical assessment were also done. RESULTS It was found that patients of CKD had significant endothelial dysfunction in comparison with controls as assessed by flow-mediated vasodilatation of brachial artery. It was also seen that late stages of CKD patients had significant endothelial dysfunction in comparison to early stages of CKD. CONCLUSIONS The present study concludes that chronic kidney disease patients have significant endothelial dysfunction and this is more pronounced in the later stages of the disease.