Endothelial function has diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance. A number of non-invasive techniques were introduced for its assessment, including flow-mediated dilation (FMD), finger plethysmography (RH-PAT) and digital thermal monitoring (DTM). All these methods can be performed simultaneously. In addition, various methods for measuring arterial wall stiffness are available such as: pulse wave analysis (PWA), pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse contour analysis (PCA) and carotid wall distensibility coefficient (DC). Finally, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and ankle brachial index (ABI) are used as surrogate read-outs of atherosclerosis. Here, we briefly describe the advantages, limitations and interrelationships of various methods used for the assessment of endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and present the concept of an integrated evaluation of vascular health based on multiple methods. This strategy may be useful to stratify cardiovascular risk and represents a step towards multiparametric assessment of endothelium for effective endothelium-guided therapy in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract-In this paper, we present an application which aid an evaluation of the arterial diameter changes, based on ultrasound videos. The designed, implemented and verified algorithm uses the techniques of image processing, image analysis and pattern recognition, such as filtering, profile plot analysis and active contour method. Except determining the artery diameter over time it is also able to retrieve ECG from ultrasound video. The results obtained for both signals are synchronized, therefore it is possible to obtain the artery diameters in R wave points, which is a novel approach. Experiments were performed to assess the software validation by comparing the outcomes obtained with the evaluated algorithm with those manually-acquiredthe correlation is high. This is the first stage of the research in which we will build the cardiovascular predictive model to search for the new cardiovascular factors.

Introduction: Flow mediated-dilation (FMD) is a noninvasive test of endothelial function based on shear stressdependent nitric oxide secretion causing vasodilation. Normalization of FMD to shear stress was previously proposed. The aim of present study is an examination of relationship between shear rate and FMD in patients with hypertension and atherosclerosis in comparison with healthy volunteers. Methods: Three groups (11 with essential hypertension, 28 with advanced atherosclerosis and 26 controls) were examined. Flow mediated dilation after 5-minute cuff occlusion and post-deflation shear rate were assessed. Brachial artery diameters and blood velocities were obtained by means of high-resolution ultrasound machine. Results: Positive correlations were found between FMD and shear rate with correlation coefficients depending on the disease. Statistical significance was found in atherosclerosis and control groups. Shear rate stimulus is most effective in healthy controls and least effective in hypertensive patients. Conclusions: Post-ischemic shear rate or shear stress should also be taken into account while evaluating the endothelial function with vasodilation measurements.