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Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
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Developing technologies to assess vascular ageing: a roadmap from VascAgeNet
Serena Zanelli1,2, Davide Agnoletti3,4,5, Jordi Alastruey6
1Laboratoire Analyse, Géométrie et Applications, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Paris, France.
Physiological Measurement
|June 5, 2024
Summary
Vascular ageing, the natural deterioration of arteries, is increasingly recognized as a cardiovascular risk marker. Developing technologies for its assessment is crucial for clinical practice and disease management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Biomedical engineering
- Gerontology
Background:
- Vascular ageing is the age-related decline in arterial structure and function.
- This process can be exacerbated by various diseases.
- Current measurements of vascular ageing show promise as cardiovascular risk indicators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the current state of technologies for assessing vascular ageing.
- To identify challenges in the development and clinical integration of these technologies.
- To propose future research directions for advancing vascular ageing assessment.
Main Methods:
- This roadmap synthesizes expert opinions and current literature on vascular ageing assessment.
- It covers measurement technologies, the development pipeline, and clinical applications.
- Expert discussions highlight challenges and future research needs.
Main Results:
- Technologies for measuring vascular ageing are advancing but not yet standard clinical practice.
- Key aspects discussed include measurement technologies, development pipelines, and clinical utility.
- Significant challenges remain in translating these technologies into routine healthcare.
Conclusions:
- Routine assessment of vascular ageing holds potential for improved cardiovascular disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment guidance.
- Further technological development and validation are necessary for clinical implementation.
- Addressing identified challenges will facilitate the integration of vascular ageing assessment into standard medical care.
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