Comparison of endothelial vasodilator function, inflammatory markers, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with or without chronotropic incompetence to exercise test

Abstract

Patients with impaired chronotropic response to graded exercise had endothelial dysfunction, enhanced systemic inflammation, and higher NT-proBNP concentrations. These findings may partly explain the mechanism of chronotropic incompetence as a predictor of cardiovascular risk and increased mortality.