Research Methods in Human Cardiovascular Pharmacology edited by Dr S. Maxwell and Prof. D. Webb Flow‐mediated dilatation
Year: 2000
Type: book-review
Abstract: Arterial endothelial dysfunction is one of the key early events in atherogenesis, preceding structural atherosclerotic changes. It is also important in the late stages of obstructive atherosclerosis, predisposing to constriction and/or thrombosis. Endothelial function can be measured in coronary arteries and in the periphery by measuring vasomotor function after intra-arterial infusion of pharmacologic substances which enhance the release of endothelial nitric oxide. The disadvantage of these methods is their invasive nature, which generally makes them unsuitable for studies involving asymptomatic subjects. For this reason, noninvasive tests of endothelial function have been developed. In the most widely used of these, an ultrasound-based method, arterial diameter is measured in response to an increase in shear stress, which causes endothelium-dependent dilatation. Endothelial function assessed by this method correlates with invasive testing of coronary endothelial function, as well as with the severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis. This noninvasive endothelial function testing has provided valuable insights into early atherogenesis, as well as into the potential reversibility of endothelial dysfunction by various strategies, including pharmacological agents (lipid lowering, ACE inhibition), L-arginine, antioxidants and hormones.
Authors: Olli T. Raitakari, David S. Celermajer
Institutions: University of Turku, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: Academy of Finland
OpenAlex ID: W63530261