Non-invasive detection of endothelial dysfunction by blood flow measurement in opposed limbs using tracer injection
AssigneesAndré Arsenault, Institut de Cardiologie de Montreal
InventorAndré Arsenault
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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.
Claims14
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.