Ultrasound assessment of endothelial-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery in clinical research.

ABSTRACT: The vascular endothelium is a monolayer of cells that cover the interior of blood vessels and provide both structural and functional roles. The endothelium acts as a barrier, preventing leukocyte adhesion and aggregation, as well as controlling permeability to plasma components. Functionally, the endothelium affects vessel tone. Endothelial dysfunction is an imbalance between the chemical species which regulate vessel tone, thombroresistance, cellular proliferation and mitosis. It is the first step in atherosclerosis and is associated with coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The first demonstration of endothelial dysfunction involved direct infusion of acetylcholine and quantitative coronary angiography. Acetylcholine binds t

SUBMITTER: Alley H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4353419 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature