title: Endothelial function and dysfunction. Part I: Methodological issues for assessment in the different vascular beds: a statement by the Working Group on Endothelin and Endothelial Factors of the European Society of Hypertension.
abstract: An enormous number of studies in the last two decades have been devoted to investigating the role of the endothelium in cardiovascular diseases. Nonetheless, the optimal methodology for investigating the multifaceted aspects of endothelial dysfunction is still under debate. Biochemical markers, molecular genetic tests and invasive and non-invasive tools with and without pharmacological and physiological stimuli have been introduced. Furthermore newer pharmacological tools have been proposed. However, the application of these methodologies should fulfil a number of requirements in order to provide conclusive answers in this area of research. Thus, the most relevant methodological issues in the research on endothelial function and dysfunction are summarized in this paper.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Physiology Unit, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deanfield
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donald
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannattasio
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halcox
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halligan
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerman
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancia
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Achille C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pessina
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizzoni
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvetti
authors.forename: Ernesto L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Schiffrin
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taddei
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*