Biomechanical Diagnosis of Atherosclerosis by Ultrasound

Abstract

Setting: Atherosclerosis causes structural changes in artery walls that alter their physical properties. The stiffness parameteris one quantitative index of the elastic properties of large arteries.can be calculated from the measurements of blood pressure and arterial diameter. We examined whether quantitatively evaluates common carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: We measured the common carotid artery inner diameter and its pulsatile change with an ultrasonic instrument. The subjects were healthy persons, patients with atherosclesrosis risk factors, patients with myocardial infarctions, and patients with cerebral infarction. Results: Thein healthy persons aged 40-59 years was 11.2. β was 13.2 in patients with atherosclerosis risk factors, 13.4 in patients with myocardial infarction, and 13.5 in patients with cerebral infarctions. These data in each patient group were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects. Conclusions: This diagnostic method is inexpensive, noninvasive and easily performed.shows promise as a useful diagnostic indicator of atherosclerosis.

Keywords

Carotid Arteries - Ultrasound - Atherosclerosis

• REFERENCES

• 1 Fisher CM, Gore I, Okabe N. et al. Atherosclerosis of the carotid and vertebral arteries: extracranial and intracranial. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 1965; 124: 455-76.
• 2 Solberg LA, McGarry PA, Moossy J. et al. Severity of atherosclerosis in cerebral arteries, coronary arteries and aortas. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1968; 149: 956-73.
• 3 Hayashi K, Handa H, Nagasawa S. et al. Stiffness and elastic behavior of human intracranial and extracranial arteries. J Biomech 1980; 13: 175-84.
• 4 Arndt JO, Klauske J, Mersch F. The diameter of the intact carotid artery in man and its changes with pulse pressure. Pflügers Arch 1968; 301: 230-40.
• 5 Hokanson DE, Mozersky DJ, Sumner DS. et al. A phase-locked tracking system for recording arterial diameter changes in vivo. J Appl Physiol 1972; 32: 728-33.
• 6 Yoshimura S, Kodaira K, Fujishiro K. et al. A newly developed non-invasive technique for quantitative measurement of blood flow-with special reference to measurement of carotid arterial blood flow. Jikeikai Med J 1981; 28: 241-56.
• 7 Kawasaki T, Sasayama S, Yagi S. et al. Noninvasive measurement of the age related changes in stiffness of major branches of the human arteries. Cardiovasc Res 1987; 21: 678-87.
• 8 Hirai T, Sasayama S, Kawasaki T. et al. Stiffness of systemic arteries in patients with myocardial infarction; noninvasive method to predict severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Circulation 1989; 80: 78-86.
• 9 Hansen F, Mangell P, Sonesson B. et al. Diameter and compliance in the human common carotid artery – variations with age and sex. Ultrasound Med Biol 1995; 21: 1-9.
• 10 Blankenhorn DH, Kramsch DM. Reversal of atherosis and sclerosis. Circulation 1989; 79: 1-7.
• 11 O’Rourke M. Mechanical principles in arterial disease. Hypertension 1995; 26: 2-9.
• 12 Wada T, Fujishiro K, Fukumoto T. et al. Relationship between ultrasound assessment of arterial wall properties and blood pressure. Angiology 1997; 48: 893-900.
• 13 Fujishiro K, Yoshimura S. Haemodynamic changes in carotid blood flow with age. Jikeikai Med J 1982; 29: 125-38.
• 14 van Merode T, Hick PJJ, Hoeks APG. et al. Vessel-wall properties of the carotid in normotensive and borderline hypertensive young male volunteers. J Hypertension 1987; 58 suppl 5: S471-3.
• 15 Isnard RN, Pannier BM, Laurent S. et al. Pulsatile diameter and elastic modulus of the aortic arch in essential hypertension: A noninvasive study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1989; 13: 399-405.
• 16 Riley WA, Freedman DS, Higgs NA. et al. Decreased arterial elasticity associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors in the young. Bogalusa Heart Study. Arteriosclerosis 1986; 6: 378-86.