Measurement of Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery A Comparison of Measurements in the Seated and Supine Positions

Junko Soga; Kenji Nishioka; Shuji Nakamura; Takashi Umemura; Daisuke Jitsuiki; Takayuki Hidaka; Hiroki Teragawa; Hiroaki Takemoto; Chikara Goto; Masao Yoshizumi; Kazuaki Chayama; Yukihito Higashi

doi:10.1253/circj.71.736

Clinical Investigation

Measurement of Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery

A Comparison of Measurements in the Seated and Supine Positions

Junko Soga, Kenji Nishioka, Shuji Nakamura, Takashi Umemura, Daisuke Jitsuiki, Takayuki Hidaka, Hiroki Teragawa, Hiroaki Takemoto, Chikara Goto, Masao Yoshizumi, Kazuaki Chayama, Yukihito Higashi

Author information

Junko Soga
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Kenji Nishioka
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Shuji Nakamura
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Takashi Umemura
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Daisuke Jitsuiki
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Takayuki Hidaka
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Hiroki Teragawa
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Hiroaki Takemoto
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Chikara Goto
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Masao Yoshizumi
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Kazuaki Chayama
Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Yukihito Higashi
Department of Cardiovascular Physiology and Medicine, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Keywords: Automated vessel-diameter measurement system, Endothelial function, Flow-mediated vasodilation, Nitroglycerine, Position

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2007 Volume 71 Issue 5 Pages 736-740

DOI https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.71.736

Details

Abstract

Background Measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) is used to assess endothelial function in humans and according to the guidelines, subjects must remain supine during the study. However, measurement of FMD while seated would be more comfortable and convenient for patients, so the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the patient's position on FMD results. Methods and Results High-resolution ultrasonography, a linear array transducer (13 MHz) and an arm - holding device were used to measure arterial diameter in response to reactive hyperemia (FMD, cuff inflated to 50 mmHg above systolic blood pressure for 5 min) and in response to sublingual nitroglycerine (NTG, 75 μg) in 31 subjects, which included those with cardiovascular diseases. There was no significant difference between basal or peak hyperemic blood flow in the seated or supine position. Basal brachial artery diameter, FMD and vascular response to NTG were similar in both positions (basal diameter: 3.8±0.4 vs 3.9±0.4 mm, FMD: 7.3±4.3% vs 7.2±4.5%, NTG: 13.1±5.1% vs 12.8±5.6%). Conclusions The findings suggest that measurement of FMD in the seated position is as useful as measuring it in the supine position for assessing endothelial function. This flexibility of position is better for patients and physicians, and should lead to more widespread measurement of FMD. (Circ J 2007; 71: 736 - 740)

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