Clinical implications of endothelial dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an early event in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. This observation is consistent with the growing appreciation of the role of endothelium in maintaining cardiovascular health. Endothelial dysfunction and coronary artery disease are both linked to hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, and cigarette smoking. Modification of these conditions improves both endothelial function and coronary artery disease outcomes. Dietary and lifestyle modifications and antioxidant vitamin supplementation have a beneficial effect on endothelial function, as do angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and lipid-lowering agents. Future studies will determine whether interventions that specifically target endothelial dysfunction can reduce rates of clinical disease.