Risk factors for cardiovascular disease mediate their effects by altering the structure and function of wall and endothelial components of arterial blood vessels. A pathological change in the microcirculation plays a pivotal role in promoting end-organ dysfunction that not only predisposes to further organ damage, but also increases the risk for future macrovascular events. The microcirculation is recognized as the site where the earliest manifestations of cardiovascular disease, especially inflammatory responses, occur that may play a pivotal role in driving the atherosclerotic process in conduit vessels. Furthermore, the vast surface area of the endothelium compared with conduit vessels means that the vascular effects of endothelial dysfunction or activation will be most apparent in this section of the vasculature. Current techniques providing indices of vascular health focus on large arteries without providing insight into the structure and function of small vessels. Techniques capable of detecting microvascular damage and monitoring the response to therapeutic interventions, especially in vulnerable target organs of interest, may improve risk stratification and represent a valuable surrogate for future cardiovascular outcome.
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February 2009
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Review Article|
January 08 2009
End-organ dysfunction and cardiovascular outcomes: the role of the microcirculation
Christopher J. Lockhart;
Christopher J. Lockhart
1Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Whitla Medical Building, School of Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K.
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Paul K. Hamilton;
Paul K. Hamilton
1Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Whitla Medical Building, School of Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K.
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Cathy E. Quinn;
Cathy E. Quinn
1Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Whitla Medical Building, School of Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K.
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Gary E. McVeigh
1Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, Whitla Medical Building, School of Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, U.K.
Correspondence: Dr Christopher J. Lockhart (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 04 2008
Revision Received:
April 03 2008
Accepted:
April 18 2008
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Clin Sci (Lond) (2009) 116 (3): 175–190.
Article history
Received:
March 04 2008
Revision Received:
April 03 2008
Accepted:
April 18 2008
Citation
Christopher J. Lockhart, Paul K. Hamilton, Cathy E. Quinn, Gary E. McVeigh; End-organ dysfunction and cardiovascular outcomes: the role of the microcirculation. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 February 2009; 116 (3): 175–190. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20080069
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