Special article: non-invasive measurement of endothelial function.
1. Endothelial dysfunction, due to reductions in nitric oxide (NO) action, is an early feature of macrovascular disease. 2. Non-invasive measurement of endothelial function may be assessed by postischaemic dilation of forearm vessels, using plethysmography, or flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, using ultrasound. 3. Brachial flow-mediated dilatation reflects NO release and/or action more than forearm hyperaemia. 4. These techniques have been used as surrogate measures of coronary endothelial function. 5. Methodological, physiological and clinical aspects of the techniques are discussed.
Playford
D A
DA
University Department of Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. daviplay@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Watts
G F
GF
D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide