Measuring Vascular Health in Clinical Trials:  Flow-Mediated Dilation

Introducing Flow-Mediated Dilation

At Profil, we continuously innovate and apply the cutting-edge methods in our clinical research to better understand and treat metabolic diseases. One such method that has proven pivotal in cardio-metabolic research is Flow-mediated Dilation (FMD).

What is Flow-mediated Dilation?

FMD is a non-invasive ultrasonic method used to measure endothelial function, which is an indicator of vascular health. By assessing how blood vessels dilate in response to increased blood flow, FMD provides insights into the elasticity of the arterial system, which can be affected by various metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes.

How FMD Works:

• Non-Invasive Assessment: FMD involves using high-resolution ultrasound to measure the diameter of an artery, typically the brachial artery, before and after a temporary occlusion of blood flow.
• Procedure: A blood pressure cuff is inflated on the forearm to occlude blood flow, which is then released after a few minutes to create a surge in blood flow. The dilation of the artery in response to this surge is measured to evaluate endothelial function.

Benefits of FMD in Clinical Trials:

• Predictive Value: FMD is a predictive tool for cardiovascular risks, providing essential data that can guide therapeutic interventions.
• Early Detection: It helps in detecting early signs of vascular dysfunction, which is crucial for preventing severe cardiovascular events in patients with metabolic disorders.
• Patient Safety: As a non-invasive method, FMD is preferable for patients, minimizing risk and discomfort associated with invasive procedures.

Application in Metabolic Disease Studies

In the context of metabolic diseases, impaired FMD can indicate early signs of vascular issues that may lead to or exacerbate conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and MASLD/MASH. By incorporating FMD into our clinical trials, we can:

• Monitor the effects of various treatments on vascular health.
• Stratify patients based on vascular function to tailor interventions more effectively.

Our Commitment

Profil is committed to leveraging non-invasive methods like FMD to enhance our research capabilities and improve patient outcomes. Through our rigorous application of such techniques, we aim to pave the way for breakthroughs in the treatment and management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Stay Updated

Follow our journey as we delve deeper into vascular health research and continue to apply innovative methods like Flow-mediated Dilation to understand and combat metabolic diseases. Also you can watch our online seminar session about FMD here.