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Updated: Aug 22, 2026
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test
Published on: April 27, 2016
[Ultrasound assessment of endothelial function in Chilean children and adults]
Alfredo M Germain1, Verónica Irribarra, Gloria Valdés
1Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. agermain@med.puc.cl
Insights
This study establishes normal flow-mediated dilation (FMD) values for healthy Chilean children and adults. Cardiovascular disease patients showed significantly impaired endothelial function, highlighting FMD as a key indicator.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Vascular Biology
- Pediatric Cardiology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in atherosclerosis development.
- Assessing endothelial function is crucial for cardiovascular health evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal flow-mediated dilation (FMD) values in Chilean children and adults.
- To evaluate endothelial function across different age groups and in cardiovascular disease patients.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution ultrasonography was used to measure brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD).
- Study included healthy children, adults, pregnant women, and patients with cardiovascular disease.
Main Results:
- Healthy Chilean children exhibited FMD values of approximately 9.9-10.0%.
- Young men showed lower FMD (8.6%) compared to young women (11.3%).
- Patients with cardiovascular disease had significantly impaired FMD (0.3%).
Conclusions:
- This study provides reference FMD values for the Chilean population.
- Endothelial function varies with age and is compromised in cardiovascular disease patients.
Background:
Endothelial dysfunction is an important pathogenetic mechanism in the development of atherosclerosis.
Aim:
To evaluate endothelial function in Chilean children and adult subjects and to provide normal values of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in the Chilean population.
Subjects And Methods:
Flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery was measured by high resolution ultrasonography in healthy children (n=32) and adults (n=69) of both gender, in a group of 8 healthy women during 4 periods of pregnancy and late postpartum, and in 22 men and women with a history of stroke or coronary heart disease.
Results:
FMD in boys and girls was 9.9 +/- 3.6 and 10.0 +/- 4.2% respectively (NS). The figures for young women and young men were 11.3 +/- 3.8 and 8.6 +/- 3.9, respectively (p=0.02); for postmenopausal women and older men, 5.5 +/- 6.6 and 7.6 +/- 6.7 respectively (NS). During normal pregnancy and postpartum there were no significant changes in FMD. Patients with cardiovascular disease had a FMD of 0.3 +/- 5.2%, (p <0.001, with other groups).
Conclusions:
The present study provides values of FMD in healthy Chilean subjects of different ages, and in patients with coronary heart disease.
