Endothelial dysfunction in children and young adults: A combined diagnostic approach of plethysmographic and biochemical markers
Abstract
We provide current, normative data on a new examination method of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in childhood. The reversibility of ED is anattractive primary target in the effort to decrease cardiovascular risk in pediatric patients and to optimize therapeutic strategies.
Thus, early detection of ED may have therapeutic and prognostic implications. Novel non-invasive diagnostic tools ensuring the capture of ED are needed.
One of them is the combined diagnostic approach of plethysmographic and laboratory methods that our current research concentrates on. The objective of our prospective study was to evaluate endothelial dysfunction especially in children with chronic diseases using a combination of plethysmographic reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and specific biomarkers - plasma concentrations of assymetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), E-selectine and vasoadhesive molecules (VCAM) in comparison with the healthy controls.
RHI was further correlated with anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Significantly decreased RHI with elevated plasma concentrations of biochemical markers implies a possible association with premature ED in patients with chronic diseases.
The combined diagnostic approach seems to be a valuable tool for more accurate detection of ED and preventive cardiovascular management in these patients [1]. (C) 2018 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.