Use of measures of endothelial function to stratify risk

Measures of endothelial dysfunction can be used to stratify risk in coronary artery disease and diabetes. Two studies are reviewed in which endothelial dysfunction was shown to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and to predict long term atherosclerotic disease. A study that showed reduced microvascular and macrovascular reactivity in subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes, and a study indicating that endothelial dysfunction precedes the development of microalbuminuria in type 1 diabetes are reviewed.