Special article: non-invasive measurement of endothelial function

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Vascular Biology
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by reduced nitric oxide (NO) action, is an early indicator of macrovascular disease.
• Accurate assessment of endothelial function is crucial for understanding and managing vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review non-invasive techniques for measuring endothelial function.
• To compare different methods for assessing endothelial function, focusing on nitric oxide bioavailability.
• To discuss the methodological, physiological, and clinical implications of these measurement techniques.

Main Methods:

• Non-invasive assessment of endothelial function using post-ischaemic forearm vasodilation measured by plethysmography.
• Non-invasive assessment of endothelial function using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation measured by ultrasound.
• Comparison of forearm hyperaemia and brachial flow-mediated dilation as indicators of NO action.

Main Results:

• Brachial flow-mediated dilation is a more direct reflection of nitric oxide release and action compared to forearm hyperaemia.
• Both plethysmography and ultrasound techniques offer non-invasive means to evaluate endothelial function.
• These methods serve as surrogate measures for assessing coronary endothelial function.

Conclusions:

• Non-invasive techniques like brachial flow-mediated dilation are valuable tools for assessing endothelial function.
• Understanding the nuances of these methods is essential for their accurate application in clinical and research settings.
• These assessments aid in the early detection and management of macrovascular disease.