Flow-mediated dilation
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD)
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a term used in the field of Cardiovascular Medicine to describe the dilation (widening) of an artery when blood flow increases in that artery. The term is often used to assess endothelial function.
Pronunciation
Flow-mediated dilation: /floʊ ˈmiːdiːeɪtɪd daɪˈleɪʃən/
Etymology
The term "Flow-mediated dilation" is derived from the English language. "Flow" refers to the movement of blood, "mediated" means brought about by, and "dilation" refers to the process of becoming wider or larger in diameter.
Definition
Flow-mediated dilation is a physiological response by which arteries increase in diameter (dilate) in response to increased blood flow. This is a crucial mechanism in regulating blood flow and pressure, and is often used as a measure of vascular health.
Related Terms
- Endothelium: The thin layer of cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels.
- Vasodilation: The widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls.
- Endothelial Dysfunction: A systemic pathological state of the endothelium and is broadly associated with cardiovascular diseases.
- Nitric Oxide: A molecule produced by the endothelium that promotes vasodilation.
Clinical Significance
Flow-mediated dilation is a non-invasive method used to assess endothelial function. It is often used in research and clinical settings to evaluate the risk of cardiovascular events. Impaired FMD is a predictor of future cardiovascular events and is often seen in individuals with atherosclerosis, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Flow-mediated dilation
- Wikipedia's article - Flow-mediated dilation
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