In patients with aortic stenosis increased flow-mediated dilation is independently associated with higher peak jet velocity and lower asymmetric dimethylarginine levels

In patients with AS, we found a strong positive relation between the peak jet velocity and a higher FMD. This effect might be mediated by nitric oxide release due to turbulent poststenotic blood flow or the rising transvalvular gradient, and the increasing pulse pressure may be counteracted by a parallel increase in FMD.