Resumen

DIAZ, Anibal. Factors for cardiovascular risk and endothelial dysfunction in adults living at high altitude. Acta méd. Peru [online]. 2016, vol.33, n.4, pp.289-295. ISSN 1728-5917.

Objective: Endothelial dysfunction is a subclinical marker of atherosclerotic disease. The objective was to determine the presence of cardiovascular risk factors associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED) in native adults living at more than 3000 m of altitude. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive, and longitudinal study was performed in the Daniel A Carrion Regional Teaching Hospital in Huancayo, Peru, from January 2015 to July 2016. The endothelial function was assessed using the flow-mediated vasodilatation test (FMV). The presence of endothelial dysfunction was determined when post-hyperemic dilation of the brachial artery was less than 10%. Results: We included 77; 41 (58.3%) had ED; 19 (46.3%) were male. The percentage of brachial artery dilation was lower in people with ED compared with those who had normal endothelial function (5.20 ± 3.9% vs. 17.2 ± 4.4%, p<0.01). The baseline diameter of the brachial artery was higher in persons with ED (3.73 ± 0.55 mm vs. 3.02 ± 0.47 mm, p<0.05). A paradoxical response was found in 7 (9%) persons. In the bivariate analysis, systemic arterial hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 5.7, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.48-21.93) and age (OR: 4.69, 95% CI: 1.76-12.51) were associated with ED. Being overweight, obesity, diabetes mellitus, sedentary lifestyle and cigarette smoking were not significantly associated with ED. Conclusion: The frequency of ED in people living at high altitude was elevated. ED was associated with systemic arterial hypertension and with increasing age. FMV is a useful, non-invasive and practical test that serves to identify people with subclinical disease and thus for preventing cardiovascular events.

Palabras clave : Hypertension; Overweight; Endothelium; Ultrasonography.