2.5.4. Vascular Endothelial Function and Hemogram Profile
REACTIVE HYPEREMIA, PAT, ARTERIAL STIFFNESS
Endothelial function and blood parameters were assessed by digital plethysmography using the EndoPAT2000 device (Itamar Medical Ltd., Caesarea, Israel). Measurements were conducted following the guidelines provided by the manufacturer, with participants in a supine position, hands positioned at the same level, in a comfortable and thermoneutral environment at a temperature ranging from 21 to 24 °C. Arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before starting the test. Pneumatic probes were placed on each index finger and a blood pressure cuff on one arm (study arm), while the contralateral arm served as a control (control arm). After a 10-min equilibration period, the blood pressure cuff on the study arm was inflated to 60 mmHg above systolic pressure for 5 min. The cuff was then deflated to induce reactive hyperemia, and the signals from both PAT channels (Probe 1 and Probe 2) were recorded by a computer. Occlusion was confirmed by the complete attenuation of the PAT signal from the test arm. To correct for systemic changes in vascular tone, recordings from the non-occluded arm (internal control) were used. The EndoPAT software package (version 3.4.4) was used to calculate endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Endothelial function was given as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and arterial stiffness as the augmentation index (AI), with AI standardized to a pulse of 75/min (AI@75) [