Non-invasive detection of endothelial dysfunction by blood flow measurement in opposed limbs
First Claim
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1. A method of obtaining data for the diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction, the method comprising:
- blocking blood flow in one limb for a first period of time;
releasing the block of blood flow in said one limb;
measuring a change in the presence of a substance in said one limb as a result of a return of blood flow in said one limb; and
determining from said change data indicative of endothelial dysfunction.
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Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is a known indicator of coronary artery disease. Endothelial dysfunction is detected by measuring presence of a marker in arteries following the release of blood flow into the limb after a period of blockage of blood flow into the limb. The blood flow is measured in a pair of laterally opposed limbs, such as the patient'"'"'s forearms, and the marker presence is compared between both limbs. One efficient marker is a tracer containing a radionuclide and the non-invasive measurement of the radionuclide is carried out by gamma ray detection.
19 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining data for the diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction, the method comprising:
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blocking blood flow in one limb for a first period of time;
releasing the block of blood flow in said one limb;
measuring a change in the presence of a substance in said one limb as a result of a return of blood flow in said one limb; and
determining from said change data indicative of endothelial dysfunction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for diagnosis of endothelial dysfunction, the apparatus comprising:
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a device for measuring a change in a presence of a substance in one limb as a result of a return of blood flow in said one limb, said device outputting a first signal; and
a processor for generating from said first signal data indicative of endothelial dysfunction. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification