CIMT and ED

CIMT was measured from 10 mm proximal to the right common carotid artery bifurcation segment using the same device with a 12 MHz linear-array imaging probe. CIMT was calculated as the distance between the lumen-intima and media–adventitia interfaces. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery as surrogate marker of ED was measured according to the American College of Cardiology Guidelines. Briefly, subjects were allowed to rest for 20 min in a supine position in a semi darkened room at 23 °C. The left arm was positioned on a table at heart level. The resting diameter of the right brachial artery was measured 3–5 cm above the antecubital fossa using the same device with a 12 MHz linear-array imaging probe. Then, a blood pressure cuff was inflated around the right forearm to at least 50 mmHg above the systemic blood pressure for 4–5 min. Sixty seconds after cuff release, the diameter of the brachial artery was measured. The diameter change caused by FMD was expressed as the percentage change relative to that at the initial resting scan (FMD %).