A number of noninvasive tests exist for assessing cardiovascular structure and function. This chapter describes protocols for flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and pulse wave velocity (PWV) and pulse wave analysis (PWA) for measurement of arterial stiffness. The chapter also describes the different methodological approaches involved in applying these techniques for optimizing their validity, comparability, and potential uses as clinical and physiological research tools.
Keywords: Arterial stiffness; B-mode ultrasonography; Cardiovascular disease; Carotid intima-media thickness; Flow-mediated dilation; Pulse wave velocity.