Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Peripheral artery tonometry demonstrates altered endothelial function in children with type 1 diabetes
Michael J Haller1, Jennifer Stein, Jon Shuster
1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. hallemj@peds.ufl.edu
Insights
Reactive hyperemia-peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) shows promise in detecting endothelial dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This non-invasive method may aid in cardiovascular disease risk assessment for pediatric T1D patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Medical Technology Assessment
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease risk.
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications.
- Non-invasive methods for assessing endothelial function in pediatric populations are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of reactive hyperemia-peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) as a surrogate marker for endothelial dysfunction in children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Main Methods:
- RH-PAT testing was performed on 44 children with T1D and 20 healthy controls.
- Measurements included height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, lipid profile, and glucose levels.
- Intrapatient variability of RH-PAT was assessed via a second test after 4 weeks.
Main Results:
- Children with T1D exhibited significantly lower RH-PAT scores, indicating endothelial dysfunction (p=0.01).
- Initial RH-PAT scores reliably predicted repeat measurements (p=0.0025).
- Variations in RH-PAT scores were not correlated with glucose, HbA1c, BMI, blood pressure, or lipid levels.
Conclusions:
- RH-PAT is a potentially valuable non-invasive tool for assessing endothelial function in children with T1D.
- This technique could enhance cardiovascular risk stratification in pediatric T1D, guiding primary prevention strategies.
Objectives:
To assess the ability of reactive hyperemia-peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) to serve as a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Research Design And Methods:
Forty-four children with T1D [age 14.6 +/- 2.7 yr; duration of diabetes 6.01 +/- 4 yr; range of diabetes duration 1-16 yr; and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 8.34 +/- 1.2%] and 20 children without diabetes (age 14.1 +/- 1.5 yr) underwent RH-PAT endothelial function testing after an overnight fast. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting lipid profile, and glucose level were determined in each child. Children with T1D underwent a second RH-PAT study 4 wk after their initial study to determine the intrapatient variability of the technique.
Results:
Children with T1D had endothelial dysfunction as evidenced by lower mean RH-PAT scores (1.63 +/- 0.5) when compared with children without diabetes (mean RH-PAT score 1.95 +/- 0.3) (p = 0.01). Repeat RH-PAT scores were predicted by initial RH-PAT scores (p = 0.0025). Mean intrapatient standard deviation of RH-PAT score was 0.261 and mean coefficient of variation was 14.8. Variations in RH-PAT score were not explained by differences in glucose, HbA1c, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, or lipids.
Conclusions:
Although larger validation studies are required, RH-PAT is a promising non-invasive technique to assess endothelial function in children with T1D. Non-invasive measures of endothelial dysfunction may provide the additional risk stratification data needed to justify more aggressive primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in children with T1D.
Related Concept Videos
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Diabetic Retinopathy
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...

