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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Noninvasive assessment of endothelial function: the classic methods and the new peripheral arterial tonometry
Enrico Vizzardi1, Mara Gavazzoni, Paolo Della Pina
1From the Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Study of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Insights
Assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk involves combining traditional factors with vascular damage imaging and function tests. Noninvasive endothelial function tests offer a key role in CVD management, treatment evaluation, and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk stratification traditionally relies on conventional risk factors.
- Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator of atherosclerosis and a factor in heart failure progression.
- Assessing vascular damage and function alongside risk factors is crucial for comprehensive CVD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review noninvasive techniques for assessing endothelial function.
- To explore the clinical utility of these techniques in various settings.
- To highlight the role of endothelial function assessment in CVD management.
Main Methods:
- Review of current noninvasive methods for endothelial function assessment.
- Analysis of morphological assessment (e.g., carotid ultrasound) and vascular function tests.
- Integration of risk stratification strategies.
Main Results:
- Noninvasive endothelial function tests are emerging as valuable tools.
- These methods can aid in evaluating treatment efficacy and patient prognosis.
- The combination of risk factors, morphology, and function provides a more complete CVD assessment.
Conclusions:
- Combining conventional risk factors with vascular imaging and function tests enhances CVD risk stratification.
- Noninvasive assessment of endothelial function is pivotal for CVD management and research.
- These techniques hold significant potential for clinical application in diverse patient populations.
Abstract:
The combination of risk stratification by assessment of conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with not only a morphological assessment of vascular damage (such as carotid ultrasound examination) but also vascular function tests may be a useful strategy for the management of CVD and its related risk factors. Endothelial dysfunction is present in a great variety of pathological conditions: it is considered the first alteration of vascular function in atherosclerosis and one of the phenomena involved in the progression of heart failure. Assessing endothelial function with noninvasive methods could have a central role for evaluation of treatment, prognostic stratification, and pharmacological studies in CVD. In this review, we focus on noninvasive techniques that have recently become available to assess endothelial function and express the possible clinical role in different clinical settings.
