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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test
Published on: April 27, 2016
Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in pre-eclampsia demonstrated by the EndoPAT method
A Meeme1, G A Buga2, M Mammen1
1Department of Human Biology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa.
Objectives:
The EndoPAT method has been used as a non-invasive method for assessing endothelial function in several non-pregnant populations. We investigated its possible use in assessing endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia.
Methods:
Two hundred and fifteen participants were recruited and grouped as pre-eclamptic cases (105) and normotensive controls (110). Endothelial function and arterial stiffness were measured as reactive hyperaemia index and augmentation index, respectively, using the EndoPAT 2000 machine.
Results:
The reactive hyperaemia index was significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic group compared to the normotensive group (p < 0.05). Augmentation index on the other hand was significantly higher in the pre-eclamptic group compared to the normotensive group (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
The EndoPAT method demonstrates endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in pre-eclampsia.
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