title: Simultaneous assessment of endothelial function and morphology in the brachial artery using a new semiautomatic ultrasound system.
abstract: The accuracy of measurements of the intima-media thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery made using a new semiautomated ultrasound system and the relationships among those parameters and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) as a predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) are unknown. We enrolled 70 subjects, including 47 patients with cardiovascular risk factors and 23 normal healthy volunteers. IMT and FMD were simultaneously measured using a new semiautomated ultrasound system, and the measurements were compared with those obtained manually as a reference standard (study 1). In addition, we enrolled 200 consecutive patients with risk factors but no CHD to examine the relationships among IMT, FMD and the FRS. The optimal cutoff values of FMD and IMT were determined in 200 patients without CHD, and the subjects were classified into four groups. The 10-year Framingham risks for each group were compared (study 2). FMD and IMT measurements made using the new semiautomated ultrasound system showed a good correlation with the measurements determined manually (study 1). Furthermore, FMD and IMT showed a significant correlation with the FRS. The 10-year Framingham risk was markedly higher in group D (FMD <5.5% and IMT >0.3 mm; 19.0±11.3%; study 2). In conclusion, the measurements made using a new semiautomated ultrasound system provided reliable and simultaneous evaluations of IMT and FMD. The combination of IMT and FMD measurements of the brachial artery may be beneficial for risk stratification of patients with cardiovascular risk factors but no CHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomokazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iguchi
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Kenei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Koki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Kenichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otsuka
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hyodo
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirohashi
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshiyama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography