Gao YH, et al. - Herein, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were measured and compared, to investigate endothelial function, between bronchiectasis patients and control subjects, and to determine the effect of different risk factors on subclinical atherosclerosis. Greater risks of endothelial dysfunction were reported in bronchiectasis patients vs healthy subjects. These risks were independent of previously well-studied risk factors and called for the vigilance to screen early for vascular changes in this group of patients.