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Conclusions on the measurement of arterial wall thickness: anatomic, physiologic and methodologic considerations
R B Devereux1, B Waeber, M J Roman
1Department of Medicine, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021.
Aim:
To discuss the use of new ultrasonic techniques that make it possible to visualize elastic (carotid) and muscular (radial) capacitance arteries non-invasively.
Results Of Data Review:
Measurements of carotid wall thickness and the detection of atheromas are related to arterial pressure, to other risk factors and to the risk of subsequent complications. The use of high-frequency ultrasound (7.5-10 MHz), measurements of far wall thicknesses in areas free of atheromas at end-diastole (by ECG gating or pressure waveform recording) and descriptions of the size and characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques allow a non-invasive assessment of vascular hypertrophy and atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients.
Conclusions:
Careful attention to methodologic and physiologic factors is needed to provide accurate information about the anatomy of the dynamically pulsating arterial tree.