Endothelial function and the prediction of CVD in diabetes.

Endothelial dysfunction has received increasing attention as a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of vascular disease in diabetes mellitus. Technologies to detect endothelial dysfunction include assessment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and plasma levels of cell injury markers. Although clinical and epidemiologic studies show associations and potential links between endothelial dysfunction and outcome in diabetes, there is a substantial need for further work.