title: [Non-invasive evaluation of the endothelial function using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography].
abstract: The vascular endothelium has a central role in regulating vasomotor tone, smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet and leukocyte adhesion to the arterial wall, thrombosis and fibrinolysis. Disturbances of these endothelial functions have been suggested to be important in the early and advanced phases of atherosclerosis. The development of a simple, valid ultrasound-based method allowed to non-invasively evaluate endothelial function in a large number of individuals with traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The ultrasound technique measures changes in brachial artery diameter in response to an increase in blood flow (reactive hyperemia) and thus in shear stress, which causes endothelium-dependent dilation. This methodology is not yet perfect. The critical issues today involve the definition of "normal values", and standardized scanning and reading protocols to reduce variability.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi Federico II. demic@libero.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Michele
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ascione
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guarini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perrotta
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tuccillo
mesh_terms: D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001810:Blood Volume; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine
vernacular_title: Valutazione non invasiva della funzione endoteliale mediante ultrasonografia B-mode ad alta risoluzione.