Fifty-two IDC patients were recruited and underwent brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Beta-blockers were titrated to doses tolerable for each patient. LV function and structure were measured by echocardiography. A positive response to β-blockers was defined as an increase of ≥ 10% in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). LVRR was defined as an increase of ≥ 10% in LVEF and a decrease of ≥ 15% in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV).
Baseline FMD was 8.4 ± 3.0% in IDC patients and significantly lower than healthy controls. At three-month follow-up, 54% of patients had a positive β-blocker response and 40% achieved LVRR. Patients with a positive response to β-blockers or with LVRR had significantly higher baseline FMD values than those without. FMD was the most significant predictor of changes in LVEF and LVESV. The sensitivity and specificity of baseline FMD to predict β-blocker responses was 64.3% and 83.3%, respectively, and to predict LVRR was 61.9% and 80.6%, respectively. Beta-blockers themselves did not influence FMD values.
FMD could serve as an independent predictor for monitoring β-blocker therapy effectiveness in IDC patients.