| abstract |
The subject invention concerns a method of monitoring a patient's vascular endothelial function by obtaining a test blood specimen from the patient; measuring the amount of circulating endothelial cells (CECs), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), or both within the test blood specimen; and determining the state of activation of CECs and/or EPCs within the test blood specimen. The subject invention further pertains to methods of monitoring responsiveness to a vascular therapy, such as a statin-based therapy, using the quantity and surface phenotype of CECs and/or EPCs as diagnostic or prognostic indicators of vascular health, and particularly vascular endothelial health, before, during, or after the vascular therapy. |