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.
University Department of Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. daviplay@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
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DA
Playford
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Watts
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