Endothelial Function in Healthy Volunteers

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Measurement of endothelial function using FMD: FMD refers to the increase in the diameter of the brachial artery caused by hyperaemia resulting from the rapid deflation of a cuff inflated to a suprasystolic pressure. This measurement of endothelial function is carried out at the level of the microcirculation (peripheral vessels) using the non-invasive technique of measuring flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in the brachial artery, which is currently the gold standard for assessing vascular endothelial function in humans (Holder et al., 2021).

Study summary

The aim of this study is to measure FMD (flow-mediated dilation) in healthy volunteers aged over 50 in order to establish reference values for women aged over 50.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Measurement of endothelial function using the FMD technique — Baseline
  The diameter of the brachial artery is measured by ultrasound before and after the increase in shear stress induced by the release of the occlusion after 5 minutes. The FMD of the left brachial artery is measured in the longitudinal plane above the antecubital fossa using a high-resolution CE-marked ultrasound scanner with a 190 linear array probe operating at 7 to 12 MHz. A mechanical arm (Vascular Imaging, Amsterdam, Netherlands), fitted with micrometric screws to allow precise movement in all three dimensions, is used to ensure correct, stereotactic positioning of the probe. Once the probe is optimally positioned, images are initially recorded for 60 s and then continuously for 3 min following the resolution of forearm ischaemia, caused by inflating a blood pressure cuff to 220 mmHg for 5 min (occlusion). The images are encoded and recorded on a dedicated computer, then digitised for subsequent blinded analysis using automatic edge-detection software 197.

Trial sites (1)

More University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand trials in France

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