Conclusions on the measurement of arterial wall thickness: anatomic, physiologic and methodologic considerations.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the use of new ultrasonic techniques that make it possible to visualize elastic (carotid) and muscular (radial) capacitance arteries non-invasively.
Measurements of carotid wall thickness and the detection of atheromas are related to arterial pressure, to other risk factors and to the risk of subsequent complications. The use of high-frequency ultrasound (7.5-10 MHz), measurements of far wall thicknesses in areas free of atheromas at end-diastole (by ECG gating or pressure waveform recording) and descriptions of the size and characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques allow a non-invasive assessment of vascular hypertrophy and atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful attention to methodologic and physiologic factors is needed to provide accurate information about the anatomy of the dynamically pulsating arterial tree.
Devereux
R B
RB
Department of Medicine, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021.
Waeber
B
B
Roman
M J
MJ
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006984:Hypertrophy; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods