Objective      To apply reactive hyperemia index (RHI) of peripheral arteries and circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) proportion in the patients with coronary heart diseases (CHD)

and determine the application value of the index in the evaluation of  endothelial function in order to provide clinical measure for disease assessment

antilipid therapy evaluation and prognosis. Methods      A total of 195 patients admitted in the institute of cardiovascular diseases of Xinqiao Hospital from September to December 2015 were enrolled in this study. They were 115 males and 80 females

at an average age of 61 and median age of 60. According to the results of coronary angiography

the 195 patients were divided into the CHD group (n=129) and control group (n=66). Then CHD group was subdivided into low-

moderate-and high-risk subgroups based on Synergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) Scoring System. The circulating EPCs was determined by flow cytometry and the RHI by noninvasive peripheral arterial tonometry (Endo-PAT 2000). The specificity and sensitivity were compared between the index and the proportion of EPCs in evaluating risk factors of CHD. Results      Compared with the control group

the proportion of circulating EPCs was significantly decreased

and RHI was lower in CHD group (P0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the proportion of ERPs and RHI (r=0.269

P0.05). In SYNTAX subgroups

the proportion of EPCs and RHI were obviously reduced in the moderate- and high-risk subgroups than the lowrisk subgroup (P0.05). Diabetes

hypertension and smoking may have influences on RHI and EPCs proportion (P0.05)

and among them

diabetes contributed most. Conclusion     RHI is superior to EPCs in noninvasion

easy to operation

and directly display endothelial function

as well as its reliable sensitivity and accuracy.