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Document Details : Title: Is there an association between coronary atherosclerosis and airway reponsiveness? Author(s): J. Turmel , L.-P. Boulet , F. Series , P. Poirier , J.-C. Tardif , J. Rodes-Cabau , E. Larose , O.F. Bertrand Journal: Acta Cardiologica Volume: 63 Issue: 3 Date: 2008 Pages: 347-353 DOI: 10.2143/AC.63.3.1020312 Abstract : Objective — Recent data suggested a relationship between carotid artery intima/media thickness and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Our objective was to assess the potential relationship between AHR and coronary atherosclerosis plaque volume as assessed by 3-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods — Thirty-six subjects had a spirometry and methacholine challenge, skin prick tests, blood sampling and induced sputum analysis. Results — We found five (13.9%) patients who presented AHR to methacholine. There was no significant difference between patients with and without AHR, in plaque volume (221 ± 45 mm3 vs. 189 ± 13 mm3, P = 0.4), lumen volume (187 ± 11 mm3 vs. 221 ± 11 mm3, P = 0.2), or in total vessel volume (377 ± 20 mm3 vs. 415 ± 20 mm3, P = 0.5), respectively. No relationship was found between AHR, cell counts and coronary atherosclerotic plaque, lumen or total vessel volumes. There were significantly more eosinophils (1.69 ± 1.75% vs. 0.21 ± 0.31%, P = 0.0007) and lymphocyte counts (3.75 ± 1.59% vs. 2.25 ± 1.12%, P = 0.03) in patients with AHR compared to patients without. Conclusion — In patients with stable coronary artery disease, the incidence of AHR was low and there was no relationship between AHR or airway inflammation and coronary atherosclerosis. |
