Endothelial pulse amplitude testing: feasibility and reproducibility in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To test prospectively the reproducibility and feasibility of endothelial pulse amplitude testing (Endo-PAT), a novel Food and Drug Administration-approved technology, in healthy adolescents.


METHODS
We performed Endo-PAT testing on 2 different days separated by no more than 7 days in 30 healthy fasting adolescents, ages 13 to 19 years, to assess reproducibility and feasibility. The reported level of discomfort, as measured on a pain scale of 1 to 5, was documented.


RESULTS
The mean difference in paired Endo-PAT indices was 0.12 (95% CI, -0.09-0.33; P = .24; intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.78), and the within-subject variation of Endo-PAT index was 0.16. The Endo-PAT index on test days 1 and 2 were 1.91 +/- 0.57 and 1.78 +/- 0.51 (mean plus or minus SD), respectively. All attempted studies (100%) were completed (95% CI, 88%-100%), and all completed studies (100%) could be analyzed (95% CI, 88%-100%). The median pain score was 1 on both days.


CONCLUSIONS
In healthy adolescents, Endo-PAT is feasible and has excellent reproducibility. This technology may provide an easy and reliable means of assessing endothelial function in the pediatric population.
Selamet Tierney
Elif Seda
ES
Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02155, USA. Seda.Tierney@cardio.chboston.org
Newburger
Jane W
JW
Gauvreau
Kimberlee
K
Geva
Judith
J
Coogan
Elizabeth
E
Colan
Steven D
SD
de Ferranti
Sarah D
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011674:Pulse; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results