Prevention magazine selected EndoPAT among top medical breakthroughs

INVASIVE vs. NONINVASIVE TESTING

The series of four photos below are of coronary arteries with excellent endothelial function (on the left) and coronary arteries with abnormal endothelial function (on the right) before and after being injected in the cath laboratory with intracoronary acetylcholine, a substance that causes the dilation of the arteries and increase in blood flow in healthy vessels.

This experimental procedure is considered the “gold standard” in assessment of coronary endothelial dysfunction and the presence of atherosclerosis in the heart.

These classic photos indicate the value of the EndoPAT in the assessment of endothelial dysfunction when measured against the “gold standard,” and it is this positive head-to-head assessment that earned FDA approval of EndoPAT testing in 2003.

Two photos on the left: The photo on the left shows healthy blood vessels. Following injection of acetylcholine, the blood vessels have dilated, and their increased size allows more blood flow, as noted in the right photo.

This increased blood flow is also indicated in the before and after angiogram tracings noted directly below the photos.

The EndoPAT results below this confirm these exact findings after blood flow was constricted in the brachial artery (left side graph) and then released, (right side graph), with reactive hyperemia then measured in the fingers with EndoPAT. 

EndoPAT features PAT (Peripheral Arterial Tone) technology, which measures the overall health of the endothelium. The PAT signal is measured from the fingertip by recording finger arterial pulsatile volume changes. Results of the 15-minute test are automatically calculated and an EndoScore is generated, which indicates thepresent state of endothelial health.

Note that the redbar on theright graph, which is a marker of increased reactive hyperemia and good blood flow, is much larger than the green bar on the left, indicating good blood flow and normal endothelial function.

Two photos on the right: The upper left photo and the constricted blood vessels of the coronary artery indicate endothelial dysfunction and the presence of atherosclerosis. After injection of acetylcholine (right photo), there is further constriction of the blood vessels, since the acetylcholine went directly to the smooth muscle tissue of the damaged vessels, which increased the levels of endothelin. This caused vasoconstriction and significantly restricted blood flow in the process. Endothelin concentrations are elevated in humans with atherosclerosis. This is noted in the before and after angiogram tracings directly below the photos.

In the EndoPAT test, both the red and green bars on the left and right hand side graphs are the same size, indicating there was no reaction to the stresses created by constricting the brachial artery. The endothelium is damaged and atherosclerosis is present.

What's Your EndoScore?

How The EndoPAT Test Works

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