Acute Vascular Response to Exercise in Women With Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Women are more likely to have nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) . The purpose of this study is to examine the acute effect of exercise on vascular function in women with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Endothelium-dependent and -independent dilation, arterial stiffness and wave reflection will be measured at baseline and after walking on a treadmill at a slow pace for 47 minutes. Endothelium-dependent dilation will be measured using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation via high resolution ultrasonography. Endothelium-independent dilation will be measured using brachial artery dilation to sublingual nitroglycerin. Arterial stiffness and wave reflection will measured using applanation tonometry.

Inclusion criteria

• women with non-obstructive coronary artery disease documented within the past 5 years by coronary angiogram as no coronary arteries with stenosis greater than 50% lesions
• age 18 to 89 years
• able to complete maximal graded exercise test

Exclusion criteria

• use of tobacco products within the previous six months
• use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy within the prior year
• pregnancy (positive urine pregnancy test) or lactation
• history of hepatic disease or infection with hepatitis B, C or HIV