EndoPAT is based on noninvasive Peripheral Arterial Tone (PAT) signal technology. It measures endothelium-mediated changes in vascular tone using unique bio-sensors placed on the fingertips. These changes in arterial tone are elicited by creating a down-stream hyperemic response induced by a standard 5-minute occlusion of the feeding artery (using a standard blood pressure cuff). When the cuff is released, the surge of blood flow causes an endothelium-dependent Flow Mediated Dilatation (FMD). The dilatation, manifested as Reactive Hyperemia, is captured by EndoPAT as an increase in the PAT Signal amplitude. A post-occlusion to pre-occlusion ratio is automaticallycalculated by the EndoPAT software, thus providing the EndoScore. Measurements from the opposite arm are used to control for concurrent non-endothelial dependent changes in vascular tone. EndoPAT tests can be carried out in both the office and hospital settings, with patients positioned either sitting or supine. The test takes 15 minutes to complete, is very easy to perform, and is both operator and interpreter independent. |
