Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Advanced age is associated with endothelial dysfunction in healthy elderly subjects
B B Yavuz1, B Yavuz, Dede D Sener
1Division of Geriatric Medicine, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. bbyavuz@hacettepe.edu.tr
Background:
Aging is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis in which endothelial dysfunction is an early marker.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine if endothelial function is altered with increasing age in healthy subjects.
Method:
The study population consisted of 30 elderly and 36 younger subjects free from major cardiovascular risk factors. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for each subject to rule out structural heart disease. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery via ultrasound.
Results:
Baseline characteristics of the elderly and the younger group were similar, except for age (mean age: 71.3 +/- 5.8 vs. 26.5 +/- 7.2). Transthoracic echocardiography was normal in all subjects. FMD of the elderly group was significantly lower than the younger group (7.9 +/- 3.1 in the elderly, 10.8 +/- 1.9 in the younger group, p < 0.001). A negative relationship was found between FMD and age (r = -0.528, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
It can be concluded that endothelial function detected by FMD declines with increasing age in healthy human subjects. Advanced age is a predictor of impaired endothelial function.
More Related Videos
08:41Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
08:42Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...