Assessment of endothelial function. History, methodological aspects, and clinical perspectives

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Vascular Biology
• Diagnostic Methods

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in atherosclerosis.
• Early assessments of endothelial function in coronary arteries date back to 1986.
• Understanding endothelial function is vital for cardiovascular disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development of endothelial function assessment methods.
• To discuss methodological challenges and advancements in measuring endothelial function.
• To explore the clinical implications and perspectives of endothelial function evaluation.

Main Methods:

• Review of established and emerging techniques for assessing endothelial function.
• Includes methods like coronary angiography, Doppler flow wire, plethysmography, flow-mediated dilation, reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry, and oscillometric methods.
• Focus on techniques applicable in human studies.

Main Results:

• Multiple methods have been developed and refined since 1986 for human endothelial function assessment.
• Each method presents unique advantages and limitations regarding accuracy, invasiveness, and clinical applicability.
• The evolution of these techniques reflects progress in understanding vascular physiology.

Conclusions:

• Accurate assessment of endothelial function is critical for diagnosing and managing atherosclerotic diseases.
• Continued methodological refinement is necessary to improve clinical utility.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview for researchers and clinicians in vascular medicine.