Incremental value of ultrasonic tissue characterization (backscatter) in the evaluation of left ventricular
Vitantonio Di Bello1, Davide Giorgi, Enrica Talini
1Cardiac and Thoracic Department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. dibellov@ifc.cnr.it
Circulation
|January 8, 2003
Summary
Ultrasonic backscatter analysis reveals that higher left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients correlates with poorer prognosis. Antihypertensive therapy can normalize these ultrasonic parameters, aiding early risk identification.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Analyzed ultrasonic backscatter parameters in 117 essential hypertensive males.
- Patients were stratified by left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) severity and geometry.
- Included 19 age-matched healthy controls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ultrasonic backscatter parameters in relation to left ventricular mass (LVM) and geometry in hypertension.
- To assess the impact of antihypertensive treatment on these parameters and LVM.
- To evaluate the potential of ultrasonic tissue characterization for identifying patients at risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2D Doppler echocardiography and ultrasonic myocardial integrated backscatter (IBS).
- Measured ambulatory and office blood pressure.
- Observed a subgroup (n=16) after pharmacological antihypertensive treatment.
Main Results:
- Cyclic variation index (CVI) of backscatter signal at the septum significantly differed across LVM levels and LV geometries (P<0.001, P<0.01).
- Higher LVM correlated with more significant CVI alterations.
- Antihypertensive therapy led to significant LVM reduction and CVI normalization.
Conclusions:
- Elevated LVM in hypertensive patients is associated with worse prognosis and altered CVI.
- Regression of LVM through therapy normalizes ultrasonic backscatter parameters.
- Ultrasonic tissue characterization can aid early identification of complications in hypertensive cardiopathy.
