title: Ultrasonographic vascular mechanics to assess arterial stiffness: a review.
abstract: In recent years, the role of arterial stiffness in the development of cardiovascular diseases has been explored more extensively. Local arterial stiffness may be gauged via ultrasound, measuring pulse transit time relative to changing vessel diameters and distending pressures. Recently, direct vessel-wall tracking systems have been devised based on new ultrasonographic methodologies, such as tissue Doppler imaging and speckle-tracking analysis--vascular mechanics. These advances have been evaluated in varying arterial distributions, are proved surrogates of pulse wave velocity, and are ascending in clinical importance. In the course of this review, we describe fundamental concepts and methodologies involved in ultrasound assessment of vascular mechanics. We also present relevant clinical studies and discuss the potential clinical utility of such diagnostic pursuits.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra-Hospital Geral, Quinta dos Vales, São Martinho do Bispo, 3041-801 Coimbra, Portugal Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal rogeriopteixeira@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rogério
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santarém, Santarém, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria João
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital da Luz, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cardim
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra-Hospital Geral, Quinta dos Vales, São Martinho do Bispo, 3041-801 Coimbra, Portugal Faculdade de Medicina Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Lino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: arterial stiffness; speckle tracking; strain; strain rate; tissue Doppler imaging; vascular mechanics