title: Evaluation of intima-media thickness and vascular elasticity of the common carotid artery in patients with isolated systolic hypertension using ultrasound radiofrequency-data technology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency (RF) data technology is a newly developed method to evaluate vascular disease, especially subclinical atherosclerotic change. Data regarding predictors of intima-media thickness (IMT) and vascular elasticity of the common carotid artery (CCA) in subjects with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) using ultrasound RF-data technology are scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the change in IMT and vascular elasticity of the CCA in patients with ISH at an early phase using US RF-data technology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine patients with ISH and 41 age-matched control subjects were the study population. The common carotid arterial systolic diameter (Ds), diastolic diameter (Dd), IMT, carotid distensibility (CD), local pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) and stiffness (β) were compared between the two groups, as were correlations between pulse pressure (PP) and parameters of vascular stiffness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Common carotid arterial Ds, Dd, IMT, PWVβ and β increased whereas CD decreased more significantly in the ISH group than in age-matched controls. The level of PP in the ISH group had significant positive correlations with PWVβ (r = 0·298, P<0·05) and β (r = 0·291, P<0·05), whereas significant correlations with CD were not observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US RF-data technology could be used to accurately and quantitatively evaluate increased IMT and decreased arterial elasticity of the CCA in patients with ISH compared with normal subjects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Dan
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min-Xia
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Yan-Yan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Luan
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014655:Vascular Resistance