Enhancement of arterial pulsation during flow-mediated dilation is impaired in the presence of ischemic heart disease

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between arterial pulse amplitude change under increased shear stress and the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods: This study comprised 31 subjects, including 14 subjects with IHD. We investigated the change in brachial artery pulse amplitude during flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using ultrasonography. Results: The arterial pulse amplitude increased during FMD in 19 subjects, whereas it decreased in 12 subjects. There was a marked difference in the change in arterial pulse amplitude (the maximum amplitude of the arterial pulse amplitude during FMD/the arterial pulse amplitude at baseline) between subjects with and without IHD (0.98 ± 0.53 and 1.37 ± 0.53, p = 0.028). Furthermore, decreased arterial pulse amplitude during FMD was a significant predictor of IHD after adjustment of age, blood pressure, the presence of each type of coronary risks, the value of FMD and sex (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The decrease of arterial pulsation amplitude during FMD was a useful predictive parameter for IHD.