Automated border detection for assessing the mechanical properties of the carotid arteries: comparison with carotid intima-media thickness.
BACKGROUND
Although carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) assesses the structural properties of the carotid artery, it does not assess the mechanical properties of the vessel.


METHODS
The carotid arteries of 71 adult patients were evaluated with CIMT, and automated border detection computed vessel stiffness, compliance, elasticity, and distensibility.


RESULTS
CIMT and mechanical properties were differentially affected by traditional cardiac risk factors, with age dominating for CIMT, and age, diabetes, and smoking dominating for mechanical variables. There was a moderate linear correlation between CIMT and the distensibility coefficient (r = -0.54), but there were weak associations with other parameters of dynamic vessel function. When patients were separated into risk groups, the mechanical vascular parameters' classification frequently differed from the CIMT classification. This was particularly notable for patients with intermediate CIMT values, who were reclassified as low or high risk by mechanical parameters 45% of the time.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that it is feasible to assess the cross-sectional area of the carotid artery using automatic border detection, which allows a novel method of determining carotid mechanical properties. These functional characteristics are often discordant with CIMT, suggesting that mechanical properties may be an important adjunct to the CIMT when evaluating the carotid artery.
Luc
Michael
M
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Polonsky
Tamar
T
Lammertin
Georgeanne
G
Spencer
Kirk
K
D000465:Algorithms; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033081:Shear Strength / Q000502:physiology; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology