Intravascular ultrasound studies of arterial elastic mechanics

A number of new methods are available for the measurement of large artery elastic properties in human subjects in vivo. One powerful tool which has recently been applied to the study of large artery mechanics is intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). IVUS studies are performed using a high frequency ultrasound transducer mounted on the tip of a catheter. This catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and detailed cross-sectional images of the vessel, are obtained from within the lumen. IVUS techniques have been used to study wall mechanics of the human aorta, as well as peripheral and coronary arteries in normal human subjects and in patients with vascular disease. This paper reviews IVUS studies of human arterial elasticity and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this emerging technique as it is applied to the understanding of arterial mechanical properties.