[Endothelial dysfunction and vasculitis: a close relationship].
Endothelial dysfunction (ECD) is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several entities, with special interest and new perspectives in collagen diseases and vasculitis. ECD precedes development of atherosclerotic coronary damage and thrombotic events, with accelerated atherogenesis. Mechanisms of ECD that are involved in vasculitis are not simply due to focal vascular inflammation, since it may be caused by inflammatory systemic mediators, for example C reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. We already have preliminary studies about specific ECD treatment in vasculitis, with drugs such as anti-TNF.