Measurement of arterial wall thickness as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis.
Large observational studies and atherosclerosis regression trials of lipid-modifying pharmacotherapy have established that intima-media thickness of the carotid and femoral arteries, as measured noninvasively by B-mode ultrasound, is a valid surrogate marker for the progression of atherosclerotic disease. To exploit fully the potential of ultrasound imaging in atherosclerosis research, standardized and strictly implemented imaging protocols should be used in both observational studies and applied clinical research. This article describes such a protocol developed at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Results are presented from a study that estimated atherosclerosis progression from childhood into old age by measuring intima-media thickness in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia compared with healthy controls.
de Groot
Eric
E
Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Hovingh
G Kees
GK
Wiegman
Albert
A
Duriez
Patrick
P
Smit
Andries J
AJ
Fruchart
Jean-Charles
JC
Kastelein
John J P
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003199:Computer Systems; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012306:Risk; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015415:Biomarkers; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents