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A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
Published on: February 7, 2015
Relationship between leukoaraiosis, carotid intima-media thickness and intima-media thickness variability:
Pierleone Lucatelli1, Eytan Raz2, Luca Saba3
1Department of Radiology, University of Rome la Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Intima-media thickness variability (IMTV) significantly correlates with leukoaraiosis (LA) volume, suggesting it may serve as a valuable marker for cerebrovascular risk assessment. Further research is needed to confirm its clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Leukoaraiosis (LA) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are indicators of cerebrovascular disease.
- Intima-media thickness variability (IMTV) is a less explored parameter in this context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between leukoaraiosis (LA) volume and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and intima-media thickness variability (IMTV).
- To explore the potential of IMTV as a biomarker for cerebrovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 61 patients undergoing brain MRI and carotid artery ultrasound.
- Automated software used to quantify LA volume, IMT, and IMTV in carotid arteries and brain hemispheres.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in LA volume or IMT/IMTV between right and left hemispheres/sides.
- A significant positive correlation was found between IMTV and LA volume (r=0.41, p<0.0001).
- A weaker, non-significant correlation was observed between IMT and LA volume (r=0.246, p=0.074).
Conclusions:
- Intima-media thickness variability (IMTV) is significantly correlated with leukoaraiosis volume.
- IMTV shows potential as a clinical marker for cerebrovascular risk.
- IMTV may be a more sensitive predictor of cerebrovascular changes than IMT.
Objective:
To assess the relationship between the degree of leukoaraiosis (LA), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and intima-media thickness variability (IMTV).
Materials And Methods:
Sixty-one consecutive patients, who underwent a brain MRI examination and a carotid artery ultrasound, were included in this retrospective study, which conformed with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was waived. In each patient, right/left carotid arteries and brain hemispheres were assessed using automated software for IMT, IMTV and LA volume.
Results:
The mean hemispheric LA volume was 2,224 mm3 (SD 2,702 mm3) and there was no statistically significant difference in LA volume between the right and left hemispheres (p value = 0.628). The mean IMT and IMTV values were 0.866 mm (SD 0.170) and 0.143 mm (SD 0.100), respectively, without significant differences between the right and left sides (p values 0.733 and 0.098, respectively). The correlation coefficient between IMTV and LA volume was 0.41 (p value = 0.0001), and 0.246 (p value = 0.074) between IMT and LA volume.
Conclusions:
IMTV significantly correlates with LA volume. Further studies are warranted to verify whether this parameter can be used clinically as a marker of cerebrovascular risk.
Key Points:
• Intima-media thickness variability (IMTV) significantly correlates with leukoaraiosis volume. • IMTV could be used as a marker for cerebrovascular risk. • IMTV seems to be a better predictor of weighted mean difference than IMT.
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