The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis, the influence of arterial hypertension on the carotid ultrasound (US) reflectivity and the age-related changes of this parameter. We recruited 20 middle-aged hypertensive patients free from other major cardiovascular risk factors and 20 gender- and age-matched healthy control subjects. An additional 30 healthy subjects, 15 younger than 30 years old and 15 older than 65 years old were also recruited. The "calibrated" IBS (C-IBS) of the left carotid "distant" wall, calculated as the difference between the IBS mean value (62 measurements) of intima-media (IM) complex and the IBS mean value of adventitia (62 measurements), was significantly higher in those with hypertension than in the age-matched controls, but similar between those with hypertension and the elderly subjects. In the 50 healthy subjects, the GIBS was positively related to age (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) and to carotid IM thickness (r = 0.33; p < 0.05). Our study shows an increased US reflectivity of carotid wall in hypertensive patients and a positive relation of this parameter to age in the healthy population, suggesting that IBS analysis can be an useful tool to detect a vascular change related to hypertension and to aging. (C) 2002 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine Biology.
Carotid ultrasound backscatter analysis in hypertensive and in healthy subjects
ROSSI, MARCO;CUPISTI, ADAMASCO;SANTORO, GINO
2002-01-01
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate, by integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis, the influence of arterial hypertension on the carotid ultrasound (US) reflectivity and the age-related changes of this parameter. We recruited 20 middle-aged hypertensive patients free from other major cardiovascular risk factors and 20 gender- and age-matched healthy control subjects. An additional 30 healthy subjects, 15 younger than 30 years old and 15 older than 65 years old were also recruited. The "calibrated" IBS (C-IBS) of the left carotid "distant" wall, calculated as the difference between the IBS mean value (62 measurements) of intima-media (IM) complex and the IBS mean value of adventitia (62 measurements), was significantly higher in those with hypertension than in the age-matched controls, but similar between those with hypertension and the elderly subjects. In the 50 healthy subjects, the GIBS was positively related to age (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) and to carotid IM thickness (r = 0.33; p < 0.05). Our study shows an increased US reflectivity of carotid wall in hypertensive patients and a positive relation of this parameter to age in the healthy population, suggesting that IBS analysis can be an useful tool to detect a vascular change related to hypertension and to aging. (C) 2002 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine Biology.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
