title: Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of the mechanical properties of arteries: in vivo and ex vivo results.
abstract: We present results of a pilot study of ex vivo and in vivo acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging demonstrating measurements of the mechanical properties of the carotid and popliteal arteries. The results were obtained on a modified commercial scanner, providing coregistered B-mode and color Doppler images. 2D and 1D through time images are formed from the measurements of tissues' response to very brief and localized applications of radiation force. The images show good correlation with B-mode and, in ex vivo studies, pathology-based characterizations of vessel geometry and plaque stiffness. In vivo measurements of arterial response during both systole and diastole are presented. We address implementation issues and discuss potential applications of this new vascular imaging method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Box 90281, Durham, NC 27708-0281, USA. gregg.trahey@duke.edu
authors.forename: Gregg E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Trahey
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Palmeri
authors.forename: Rex C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.forename: Kathryn R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Nightingale
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D010173:Palpation; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods