J Cardiovasc Ultrasound.  2006 Sep;14(3):92-97.

The Relationship of Pulse-wave Velocity with Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Carotid Artery Distensibility

• Zo JH
• Lee SK
• Kim SH
• Kim MA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sonographic evaluation of arterial wall morphology and elasticity, and the evaluation of pulse wave velocity (PWV) are widely used noninvasive modalities for evaluating atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk assessment. Several studies suggest that intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial elasticity indices may sensitively reflect different vasculopathic processes. Thus the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between carotid IMT, distensibility and PWV.
METHODS
We examined 14 consecutive patients (mean age 51+/-8 years, 8 males) with carotid ultrasound and noninvasive vascular screening device. Carotid IMT, carotid artery distensibility, and brachial-ankle PWV were measured.
RESULTS
The brachial-ankle PWV was inversely correlated with carotid distensibility (r= 0.628, p<0.05), but not correlated with IMT (r=0.099, p=0.738). And there was no relationship between IMT and carotid distensibility (r= 0.207, p=0.478).
CONCLUSION
Carotid distensibility had good correlation with brachial-ankle PWV, so it might be used for assessing arterial stiffness and evaluating cardiovascular risk.

Keyword

Carotid ultrasound; Carotid intima-media thickness; Arterial distensibility; Pulse wave velocity

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Carotid Arteries*
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
Elasticity
Humans
Mass Screening
Pulse Wave Analysis
Risk Assessment
Ultrasonography
Vascular Stiffness