Use of ultrasound for non-invasive assessment of flow-mediated dilation

J Atheroscler Thromb. 2012;19(5):407-21. doi: 10.5551/jat.11395. Epub 2012 Mar 1.

Abstract

The pathological complications of atherosclerosis, namely heart attacks and strokes, remain the leading cause of mortality in the Western world. Preceding atherosclerosis is endothelial dysfunction. There is therefore interest in the application of non-invasive clinical tools to assess endothelial function. The flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test is the standard tool used to assess endothelial function. Reduced FMD is an early marker of atherosclerosis and has been noted for its capacity to predict future cardiovascular disease events. This review discusses the measurement of endothelial function using ultrasound, with a focus on the FMD technique.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Atherosclerosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Blood Circulation
  • Endothelium, Vascular / diagnostic imaging
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vasodilation*