December 1, 2008Current Pharmaceutical Design
Non-Invasive Diagnostic Tools for Investigating Endothelial Dysfunction
Key result
Non-invasive diagnostic tools for endothelial dysfunction currently lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity for use in routine clinical practice.
Design
Review
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Clinicians should avoid routine use of current non-invasive tests; leaves open the need for higher-sensitivity validation studies.
Structured PICO
E
Exposure
Non-invasive diagnostic tools for endothelial dysfunction (e.g., Flow mediated dilation, plethysmography, tonometry)
O
Outcome
Assessment of endothelial functionsurrogate
While FMD is the most reproducible non-invasive test for endothelial dysfunction, current methods lack the sensitivity and specificity required for routine clinical use.
Limitations
- Systemic markers have a limited role due to biological and assay availability and variability
- No available test has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be used yet in clinical practice
- The optimal methodology for investigating endothelial dysfunction is still under debate
- Biological and assay variability of systemic markers
- Lack of sufficient sensitivity and specificity for clinical practice
Cite This Study
Ghiadoni et al. (2008) conducted a review in Endothelial dysfunction. Non-invasive diagnostic tools was evaluated. Non-invasive diagnostic tools for endothelial dysfunction currently lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity for use in routine clinical practice.