title: Carotid ultrasound backscatter analysis in hypertensive and in healthy subjects.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis, the influence of arterial hypertension on the carotid ultrasound (US) reflectivity and the age-related changes of this parameter. We recruited 20 middle-aged hypertensive patients free from other major cardiovascular risk factors and 20 gender- and age-matched healthy control subjects. An additional 30 healthy subjects, 15 younger than 30 years old and 15 older than 65 years old were also recruited. The "calibrated" IBS (C-IBS) of the left carotid "distant" wall, calculated as the difference between the IBS mean value (62 measurements) of intima-media (IM) complex and the IBS mean value of adventitia (62 measurements), was significantly higher in those with hypertension than in the age-matched controls, but similar between those with hypertension and the elderly subjects. In the 50 healthy subjects, the C-IBS was positively related to age (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) and to carotid IM thickness (r = 0.33; p < 0.05). Our study shows an increased US reflectivity of carotid wall in hypertensive patients and a positive relation of this parameter to age in the healthy population, suggesting that IBS analysis can be an useful tool to detect a vascular change related to hypertension and to aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. mrossi@int.med.unipi.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Adamasco
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cupisti
authors.forename: Lauretana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santoro
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography