Non-invasive detection of endothelial dysfunction by blood flow measurement in opposed limbs using tracer injection
First Claim
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1. A method of assessing endothelial dysfunction comprising the steps of:
- blocking blood flow in one limb for a first period of time;
releasing the block of blood flow in said one limb;
injecting a bolus of a tracer in a vein such that said bolus is conducted to the heart and evenly distributed to said one limb and an opposed limb via arteries;
measuring a presence of said tracer in said one limb; and
analyzing said presence to assess said endothelial dysfunction.
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Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is a known indicator of cornary artery disease. Endothelial dysfunction is detected by measuring tracer presence 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 tracer presence is compared between both limbs. An efficient tracer is a radionuclide and the non-invasive measurement of the radionuclide is carried out by gamma ray detection.
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14 Claims
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1. A method of assessing endothelial dysfunction comprising the steps of:
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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;
injecting a bolus of a tracer in a vein such that said bolus is conducted to the heart and evenly distributed to said one limb and an opposed limb via arteries;
measuring a presence of said tracer in said one limb; and
analyzing said presence to assess said endothelial dysfunction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification