Assessment of mechanical properties of common carotid artery in Takayasu's arteritis using velocity vector imaging.
BACKGROUND
Alteration of arterial elastic properties is known to occur in patients with arteritis. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) is a new technology to assess multi-dimensional regional mechanics in terms of velocity, strain, strain rate and displacement. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanical properties of the common carotid artery using VVI in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA).


RESULTS
Vascular properties of the carotid artery were assessed in 12 patients with TA (11 female, age 38+/-10 years) and 12 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Velocity, strain, strain rate and displacement were decreased significantly in TA compared with controls. Standard deviations, however, of time to peak velocity (Tv), strain (Ts), strain rate (Tsr), and displacement (Td) of multiple arterial wall segments were significantly higher in TA (P<0.0001), suggesting disturbance of symmetric arterial expansion during systole. The severity of carotid stenosis was also positively correlated with standard deviations of Tv, Ts, Tsr and Td.


CONCLUSIONS
Arterial assessment using VVI may represent a new noninvasive method for quantifying vascular alteration associated with arteritis.
Cho
In Jeong
IJ
Cardiology Division, Yonsei Cardiovascular Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Shim
Chi Young
CY
Yang
Woo-In
WI
Kim
Sung-Ai
SA
Chang
Hyuk-Jae
HJ
Jang
Yangsoo
Y
Chung
Namsik
N
Ha
Jong-Won
JW
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*