In simple terms, VENDYS^® measures vascular reactivity. Vascular reactivity is a vital component of vascular function that enables adjustments of blood flow and alterations of vessel tone and diameter, when needed. Healthier arteries have higher vasodilative capacity and are more reactive. Multiple factors, including known cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking) as well as genetic, environmental, and other detrimental factors, reduce the vasodilative capacity.

Click to learn more about the science of micro- and macrovascular reactivity and its relationship to endothelial function.

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VENDYS^® Digital Thermal Monitoring (DTM) of Vascular Reactivity

VENDYS^® uses a standard arm-cuff vascular reactivity procedure, which includes a temporary occlusion of blood flow in the arm. During the cuff occlusion, the lack of blood flow (ischemia) elicits a microvascular dilative response (opening small vessels). Upon releasing the cuff, blood flow rushes into the forearm and hand, not only restoring baseline flow but also resulting in an overshoot (reactive hyperemia). This overshoot causes shear stress in the larger (conduit) arteries, which stimulates these arteries (macrovessels) to dilate and accommodate the increased blood flow.

VENDYS^® monitors, records, and analyzes fingertip temperature during the above cuff occlusion and release procedure. Temperature changes serve as a surrogate marker of blood flow changes that result from vascular reactivity.

The VENDYS^® test begins with an automated blood pressure measurement, followed by cuff occlusion of the right arm. During the cuff occlusion (2 to 5 minutes), fingertip temperature in the right hand falls because of the absence of warm circulating blood. Once the cuff is released, blood flow rushes into the forearm and hand, causing a temperature rebound (TR) in the fingertip which is directly proportional to the vascular reactivity.

The higher the temperature rebound (TR), the better the vascular reactivity.