Flow-mediated dilatation

Raitakari, OT Celermajer, DS

Ot. Raitakari et Ds. Celermajer, Flow-mediated dilatation, BR J CL PH, 50(5), 2000, pp. 397-404

64

INGLESE

Article

Pharmacology,"Pharmacology & Toxicology

BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

0306-5251 → ACNP

50

5

2000

397 - 404

ISI

0306-5251(200011)50:5<397:FD>2.0.ZU;2-#

Arterial endothelial dysfunction is one of the key early events in atheroge nesis, preceding structural atherosclerotic changes. It is also important i n the late stages of obstructive atherosclerosis, predisposing to constrict ion and/or thrombosis. Endothelial function can be measured in coronary art eries and in the periphery by measuring vasomotor function after intra-arte rial infusion of pharmacologic substances which enhance the release of endo thelial nitric oxide. The disadvantage of these methods is their invasive n ature, which generally makes them unsuitable for studies involving asymptom atic subjects. For this reason, noninvasive tests of endothelial function h ave been developed. In the most widely used of these, an ultrasound-based m ethod, arterial diameter is measured in response to an increase in shear st ress, which causes endothelium-dependent dilatation. Endothelial function a ssessed by this method correlates with invasive testing of coronary endothe lial function, as well as with the severity and extent of coronary atherosc lerosis. This noninvasive endothelial function testing has provided valuabl e insights into early atherogenesis, as well as into the potential reversib ility of endothelial dysfunction by various strategies, including pharmacol ogical agents (lipid lowering, ACE inhibition), l-arginine, antioxidants an d hormones.