Noninvasive evaluation of endothelial activity in healthy and diseased individuals.

Background: Diminished endothelial activity (EA) has been associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CAD) events.

Methods: Vasodilatory responses (EA and relative distensibility [RD]) were evaluated noninvasively using iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and recorded by laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) and photoplethysmography (PPG) among 324 patients.

Results: The EA after ACH iontophoresis measured by LDF was significantly higher in the younger (<50 years) group than in the older (>50 years) group, 125.

Nonvisible insufficient subcutaneous reticular venous plexus can be observed through the skin using a new illumination method.

Background: Insufficient subcutaneous reticular venous plexus (ISRVP) is an overlooked disease because the human eye cannot see many of the insufficient veins.

Objective: To present a total reticular vision (TRV) method that exposes nonvisible ISRVP to normal vision.

Method & Materials: TRV used visual-spectrum white and red light of 700 nm and infrared light of 15 to 850 nm from an ultradigital viewer camera.

Progression of peripheral arterial disease predicts cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of progressive versus stable peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with the risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.

Background: An independent association between PAD, defined by low values of the ankle-brachial index (ABI), and future CVD risk has been demonstrated. However, the prognostic significance of declining versus stable ABI has not been studied.

Validation of a method for determination of the ankle-brachial index in the seated position.

Objective: To validate a method for determination of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in the seated position.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent disorder that is associated with quality of life impairment and increased risk of a major cardiovascular event. The ABI is the initial test for screening and diagnosis of PAD.

Non-invasive assessment of endothelial activity in patients with coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: The aim of this study was first to compare the widely used flow mediated dilation ( FMD ) method with the iontophoretically induced acetylcholine vasodilation (IAV ) procedure. The ultimate goal was to examine the endothelial activity ( EA ) in patients with various cardiovascular risk factors compared with control subjects.

Patients And Methods: In the upper extremities of 27 subjects, comparisons of EA by FMD and IAV measured with laser Doppler flux method (LDF) were conducted.