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Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
Exploring Vascular Function Biomarkers: Implications for Rehabilitation
Shane A Phillips1, Daniela Kuguimoto Andaku2, Renata Gonçalves Mendes2
1Department of Physical Therapy, Integrative Physiology Laboratory, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract:
The endothelium plays an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis and regulating blood vessel function. Endothelial function is considered an independent predictor for risk of future cardiovascular events in cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular patients, as well as a predictor for postoperative complications in cardiovascular surgery patients. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation by high-resolution ultrasound is widely used to evaluate endothelium-dependent vasodilation, which is mainly mediated by nitric oxide release. Physical exercise exerts beneficial effects on endothelial function and can be used in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiac and peripheral artery diseases, even in the postoperative period of cardiovascular surgery.
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