title: Methods for evaluating endothelial  function: a position statement from the  European Society of Cardiology Working  Group on Peripheral Circulation.
abstract: The endothelium holds a pivotal role in cardiovascular health and disease. Assessment of its function was until recently limited to experimental designs due to its location. The advent of novel techniques has facilitated testing on a more detailed basis, with focus on distinct pathways. This review presents available in-vivo and ex-vivo methods for evaluating endothelial function with special focus on more recent ones. The diagnostic modalities covered include assessment of epicardial and microvascular coronary endothelial function, local vasodilation by venous occlusion plethysmography and flow-mediated dilatation, arterial pulse wave analysis and pulse amplitude tonometry, microvascular blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry, biochemical markers and bioassays, measurement of endothelial-derived microparticles and progenitor cells, and glycocalyx measurements. Insights and practical information on the theoretical basis, methodological aspects, and clinical application in various disease states are discussed. The ability of these methods to detect endothelial dysfunction before overt cardiovascular disease manifests make them attractive clinical tools for prevention and rehabilitation.
authors: 2nd Cardiology Department, Attikon Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Lekakis
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Abraham
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Balbarini
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Blann
authors: Chantal M
authors: CM
authors: Boulanger
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Cockcroft
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cosentino
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Deanfield
authors: Augusto
authors: A
authors: Gallino
authors: Ignatios
authors: I
authors: Ikonomidis
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Kremastinos
authors: Ulf
authors: U
authors: Landmesser
authors: Athanase
authors: A
authors: Protogerou
authors: Christodoulos
authors: C
authors: Stefanadis
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Tousoulis
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Vassalli
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Vink
authors: Nikos
authors: N
authors: Werner
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Wilkinson
authors: Charalambos
authors: C
authors: Vlachopoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002309:Cardiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005060:Europe; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012955:Societies, Medical
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers