Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Measured by Coronary Phase Contrast Flow Velocity Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if differences in coronary endothelial function are observed between asymptomatic women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and control subjects using coronary phase contrast flow velocity magnetic resonance imaging in response to cold pressor stress, an established endothelium-dependent vasodilatory stress. Methods Phase contrast flow velocity imaging of the right coronary artery was performed in 7 asymptomatic premenopausal women with DM and 8 healthy female participants in response to the cold pressor test at 3 T. Results There was no significant difference in percent increase in coronary flow velocity from rest to peak flow velocity between DM and control subjects (32% ± 22% vs 46% ± 17%; P = 0.11). However, percent increase in coronary flow velocity was lower in DM than in control subjects (-3% ± 14% vs 31% ± 30%; P = 0.01) during the second minute of cold pressor stress, when endothelial-mediated vasodilation should occur. Conclusions Asymptomatic women with DM demonstrate reduced coronary flow velocity during the second minute of cold pressor stress, indicating coronary endothelial dysfunction.