Impaired coronary microvascular and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract Background and aim Increased incidence of coronary vascular events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is known. However, the association between coronary microvascular function and IBD has not been fully defined. We aimed to investigate whether coronary flow reserve (CFR) and left ventricular diastolic function were impaired in IBD patients. Methods Seventy-two patients with IBD (36 patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] and 36 Crohn's disease [CD]) were registered. Each subject was evaluated after a minimum 15-day attack-free period. For the control group, 36 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included into the study. IBD clinical disease activity in UC was assessed by the Truelove–Witts Index (TWAS) and in CD by the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI). In each subject, CFR was measured through transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Results Compared to the controls, the CD group and UC group had significantly higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Baseline diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV) of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was significantly higher in the IBD group (24.1 ± 3.9 vs. 22. 4 ± 2.9, p p p Conclusion CFR, reflecting coronary microvascular function, is impaired in patients with IBD. CFR and left ventricular diastolic function parameters are well correlated with hs-CRP.