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Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
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Echo-Tracking Method Improves the Reliability in Flow-Mediated Dilation Assessment by Measuring Brachial Artery
Li-juan Du1, Wen He, Jian-hua Wang
1*Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University; and †Department of Ultrasound, The Military General Hospital of Beijing, Beijing, China.
Ultrasound Quarterly
|May 27, 2015
Summary
This study found both B-mode and echo-tracking (ET) methods reliably measure flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The ET method showed improved reliability for FMD assessment, though neither technique was definitively superior.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Medical Imaging Analysis
Background:
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a key indicator of endothelial function.
- Accurate FMD measurement is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health.
- Comparing different ultrasound techniques is essential for optimizing diagnostic accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare intraobserver and interobserver reliability and agreement for FMD measurements using B-mode versus echo-tracking (ET) ultrasound.
- To evaluate the reproducibility of FMD assessment between two distinct ultrasound methodologies.
Main Methods:
- Twenty healthy volunteers underwent brachial artery ultrasound using both B-mode and ET methods.
- Measurements of brachial artery diameter and FMD percentage were taken by sonologists over two days.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess reliability and agreement.
Main Results:
- Both B-mode and ET methods demonstrated excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability for all assessed variables.
- Echo-tracking (ET) exhibited higher intraclass correlation coefficient values for both intraobserver and interobserver evaluations.
- Bland-Altman analysis indicated percentage differences within 18.1%–19.4% between ET and B-mode for diameter and FMD measurements.
Conclusions:
- Both B-mode and echo-tracking (ET) ultrasound methods are reproducible for assessing flow-mediated dilation (FMD).
- The ET method appears to enhance the reliability of FMD assessment compared to B-mode.
- Further research is needed to determine the optimal ultrasound method for FMD measurement.
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