Measurement of endothelial function and its clinical utility for cardiovascular risk

Figures & data

Table 1 Methods for measuring endothelial function

Technique	Method
Invasive	Intra-arterial ACh or edothelin infusion and strain gauge plethysmography (or high resolution ultrasound)
	Intravascular US studies of epicardial coronary arteries
Noninvasive	US FMD of the brachial artery
	Flow-mediated MRI
	Pulse wave analysis (PWA) applanation tonometry with inhaled salbutamol (B2 agonist for global endothelial NO release)
	Pulse contour analysis (PCA) digital photoplethysmography with inhaled salbutamol (B2 agonist for global endothelial NO release)
Microvascular	Laser Doppler skin flowmetry
	Digital pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT)

Abbreviations: FMD, flow-mediated dilation; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NO, nitric oxide; US, United States of America.

Figure 1 Probe position in relation to cuff.