Imaging Assessment of Endothelial Function: An Index of Cardiovascular Health

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Vascular Biology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction is an early indicator in various cardiovascular diseases, affecting both conduit arteries and microvasculature.
• It serves as a significant prognosticator for cardiovascular events and mortality.
• Assessing endothelial function is crucial for guiding therapy selection and monitoring treatment response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize current invasive and non-invasive modalities for assessing endothelial function.
• To discuss the strengths, limitations, and future applications of each technique for clinical and research use.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of invasive angiography as the gold standard for coronary endothelial function assessment.
• Review of emerging non-invasive imaging techniques for evaluating both coronary and peripheral endothelial function.

Main Results:

• Invasive angiography remains the gold standard for coronary endothelial function.
• Non-invasive techniques offer alternatives for assessing endothelial function in both coronary and peripheral vessels.
• Each modality presents unique strengths and limitations.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of available endothelial function assessment techniques is vital.
• The choice of method depends on clinical context, research question, and desired information.
• Future research will likely focus on refining non-invasive techniques and expanding their clinical utility.