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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Measuring endothelial function
Christopher J Lockhart1, Gary E McVeigh, Jay N Cohn
1Cardiovascular Division, Mayo Mail Code 508, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
Insights
Endothelial dysfunction is an early sign of vascular disease, impacting atherosclerosis and diabetes. Assessing this dysfunction helps predict cardiovascular risk and monitor treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Vascular Biology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Endothelial and arterial wall dysfunction are key in atherosclerosis, diabetes, and vascular disease risk.
- Altered arterial structure and endothelial homeostasis contribute to end-organ damage and vascular events.
- Vascular endothelial cell dysfunction is an early event in atherosclerotic lesion development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically appraise methodologies for assessing endothelial function.
- To evaluate endothelial function as a preclinical marker for cardiovascular risk stratification.
- To explore the utility of endothelial function assessment in monitoring therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review and critical appraisal of current methodologies for assessing endothelial function.
- Analysis of endothelial function as a surrogate marker for cardiovascular risk.
- Evaluation of preclinical assessment techniques for endothelial dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a critical early event in vascular disease progression.
- Assessing endothelial function offers potential for refining cardiovascular risk stratification.
- Current methodologies for assessing endothelial function require further standardization.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a crucial early indicator of cardiovascular risk.
- Standardized methods for assessing endothelial function are needed for reliable risk prediction.
- Monitoring endothelial function can guide therapeutic strategies in vascular disease.
Abstract:
Dysfunction of the endothelium and of the arterial wall is well described in patients with atherosclerosis, diabetes, and other risk factors for vascular disease. In recent years, clinical research has focused on elucidating the role of this dysfunction in influencing vascular disease progression. Alteration in the structure of arteries and disruption of the homeostatic functions of the endothelium act as a substrate for end-organ damage and the occurrence of vascular events. Dysfunction of the vascular endothelial cells is probably the earliest event promoting atherosclerotic lesion formation. Therefore, methods capable of assessing endothelial function at a preclinical stage hold potential to refine cardiovascular risk stratification and serve as a guide to monitor the effects of therapeutic interventions. A number of methodologies are currently employed to assess endothelial function, but the optimal approach is not firmly established. In this article, we critically appraise the use of different methodologies employed to study endothelial function as a surrogate marker of future cardiovascular risk.
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