Evaluation of endothelial dysfunction and its improvement after cardiac rehabilitation

Abstract

Endothelial function is considered an independent predictor for risk of future cardiovascular events in cardiovascular and noncardiovascular patients. Given the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), preclinical detection may help modify atherosclerosis and prevent events. Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors relate to future CVD, the predictive value of these risk factors can be relatively limited. Contemporary scientific attention has focused on alternative direct measures of arterial function . Studies have provided unique insights into the pathophysiology of disease processes, the response to treatment and prognostic information that may be helpful in risk prediction. Peripheral measures of endothelial function are now established surrogate markers of vascular risk and have become important markers for clinical research. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is of critical importance in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It has been reported that CR was negatively related to reinfarction, cardiac morbidity and all-cause mortality. The beneficial influence of cardiac rehabilitation on endothelial dysfunction has been demonstrated in many studies, but the the mechanisms by which exercise improves endothelial function are not fully clarified.