title: Is reversal of endothelial dysfunction still an attractive target in modern cardiology?
abstract: Although the endothelium has a number of important functions, the term endothelial dysfunction is commonly used to describe impairment in its vasodilatory capacity. There have been numerous studies evaluating the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, however assessment of endothelial function is perhaps still primarily thought of as a research tool and has not reached widespread clinical acceptance. In this review we explore the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, its prognostic significance, methods of pharmacological reversal of endothelial dysfunction, and ask the question, is reversal of endothelial dysfunction still an attractive target in modern cardiology?
authors.affiliation: Ify Mordi, Nikolaos Tzemos, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ify
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mordi
authors.affiliation: Ify Mordi, Nikolaos Tzemos, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tzemos
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Endothelium; Flow-mediated dilatation; Nitric oxide; Risk factors; Vascular