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Endothelial function is impaired in the presence of known atherogenic risk even before atherosclerosis becomes clinically manifest. Impairment of endothelial function can be measured in vivo in several ways. An elegant noninvasive method is the measurement of endothelium vasodilator function of the brachial artery in response to increased blood flow: flow mediated dilation (FMD). Ultrasound measurements of the brachial artery are performed in supine position using a vessel wall-movement system (Wall Track, Pie Medical, Maastricht). Flow mediated vasodilation after release of a distal blood pressure cuff inflated 100 mmHg above systolic pressure for 4 min, represents endothelium dependent vasodilation. Vasodilation after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin spray represents endothelium independent vasodilation. Impaired endothelial function of the brachial artery has been shown to be present in …