Reproducibility of sonographic measurements of carotid intima-media thickness.
BACKGROUND
Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), measured with B-mode ultrasound, is a marker for atherosclerosis and widely used as an outcome in intervention trials.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the reproducibility of carotid intima-media thickness measurements using tissue harmonic imaging (THI) sonography between two observers with different levels of experience.


METHODS
IMT measurement was performed in 40 patients: 26 males and 14 females, with a mean age of 62.6 years. The measurements were taken on the posterior wall of the right common carotid artery using a standardized protocol. Observer measurement of the IMT was independent and blind. Statistical analysis was done with parametric tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
The measurements of the IMT were taken satisfactorily in all cases. IMT measurement time was 5 min/study. No significant differences were noted between the means obtained by the two observers. The interobserver correlation of the measurements was very high (97.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that carotid IMT measurement using THI sonography and a standardized protocol is accurate and reproducible.
Velázquez
F
F
Department of Radiology, Virgen de Arrixaca University Hospital, El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
Berná
J D
JD
Abellán
J L
JL
Serrano
L
L
Escribano
A
A
Canteras
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016683:Supine Position; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography