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European Heart Journal 2001 22(3):254-260; doi:10.1053/euhj.2001.2105
Copyright © 2001 by the European Society of Cardiology.
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Coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction in transplanted children

M Giulia Gagliardia,f1, F Creab, B Pollettaa, C Bassanoc, G La Vignaa, L Ballerinia and P Ragonesea

a Paediatric Cardiology, Bambino Gesù Hospital, Rome, Italy
b Cardiology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
c Cardiac Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy

revised August 3, 1999; accepted January 6, 2000

Abstract

Aims To assess the response of the coronary microcirculation to acetylcholine (endothelium-dependent vasodilator) and of adenosine (endothelium-independent vasodilator) in children after heart transplantation and to verify whether endothelial dysfunction is time-dependent.

Methods and Results We studied the endothelial function of 26 asymptomatic children previously submitted to heart transplantation, with normal transplanted hearts and epicardial coronary arteries. Ten untransplanted children served as controls. The response of coronary blood flow velocity to intracoronary infusion of acetylcholine (1·8µg.min–1) and adenosine (270µg.min–1) was assessed using a Doppler wire positioned in an epicardial coronary branch. In the study group, coronary blood flow velocity increased slightly during acetylcholine infusion (peak/baseline ratio=1·17±0·22). The ratio was inversely correlated with the length of follow-up (r=–0·50;P=0·0078). The peak/baseline ratio in control children was 1·76±0·73 (P<0·0002 vs study group). After adenosine infusion, the coronary blood flow velocity peak/baseline ratio was 3·75±1·54 in transplanted children and 3·72±1·34 in controls (P=ns).

Conclusions Endothelial dysfunction in paediatric transplanted patients becomes more evident in patients with longer follow-up. This finding could prove useful in the prevention of accelerated arteriosclerosis.

Key Words: Heart transplantation, paediatric, coronary microcirculation, endothelial dysfunction, accelerated graft arteriosclerosis

f1 Correspondence: M. Giulia Gagliardi, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, Ospedale Bambino Gesù, Piazza Sant' Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.

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