Effect of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels in Patients with Extensive Nasal Polyposis

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) in patients with extensive nasal polyposis (ENP). METHODS: Preoperative and 3-month post-ESS plasma levels of ADMA and mPAP were measured in patients with ENP and in age-and gender-matched controls. RESULTS: The study included 45 patients with ENP and 31 controls (mean SD age 39.4 +/- 8.8 and 38.1 +/- 9.6 years, respectively). The mean preoperative ADMA level in ENP patients (0.69 +/- 0.27 mu mol/l) was statistically significantly lower than in the control group (1.08 +/- 0.37 mu mol/l). The postoperative ADMA level increased significantly in ENP patients (0.97 +/- 0.36 mu mol/l) versus the preoperative level. Mean preoperative mPAP in ENP patients (25.7 +/- 5.4 mmHg) was statistically significantly higher than in the control group (20.8 +/- 2.1 mmHg), and ENP patients showed significant decreases in mPAP after (21.9 +/- 3.5 mmHg) versus before ESS. CONCLUSION: Patients with ENP had lower plasma ADMA levels compared with healthy controls, however ADMA levels and mPAP improved in ENP patients after ESS.