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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
Dual-mode Imaging of Cutaneous Tissue Oxygenation and Vascular Function
Published on: December 8, 2010
Infrared thermography for normal endothelial function screening
Susana Isabel Morales-Montalvo1,2, Ma Del Pilar Cruz-Domínguez1, Ma de Los Ángeles Martínez-Godínez2
1Research Department, Specialty Hospital, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.
Background:
Endothelial dysfunction (ED) suspicion will allow to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis and premature death.
Objective:
To establish the usefulness of thermography for endothelial function screening in adults with cardiovascular risk factors.
Material And Methods:
Cross-sectional, analytical diagnostic test. A brachial arterial diameter (BAD) increase < 11% at one-minute post-ischemia meant probable ED and was confirmed if BAD was ≥ 11% post-sublingual nitroglycerin. Thermographic photographs of the palmar region were obtained at one minute. Descriptive statistics, ROC curve, Mann-Whitney's U-test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test were used.
Results:
Thirty-eight subjects with a median age of 50 years, and with 624 thermographic measurements were included. Nine had ED (flow-mediated vasodilation [FMV]: 2.5%). The best cutoff point for normal endothelial function in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors was ≥ 36 °C at one minute of ischemia, with 85% sensitivity, 70% specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 78 and 77%, area under the curve of 0.796, LR+ 2.82, LR- 0.22.
Conclusion:
An infrared thermography-measured temperature in the palmar region greater than or equal to 36 °C after one minute of ischemia is practical, non-invasive, and inexpensive for normal endothelial function screening in adults with cardiovascular risk factors.
