Evaluation of common carotid artery elasticity by echo tracking technique in patients with high-normal blood pressure and hyperlipidemia
KAN Yan-min1, MA Lin1, WU Xiu-ping1, HAN Xiu-ling2, YANG Hua1
1. Department of Ultrasound, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei United University, Tangshan Hebei 063000, China;2. Hebei United University, Tangshan Hebei 063000, China
Abstract：Objective: To investigate the carotid arterial elasticity in patients with high-normal blood pressure and hyperlipidemia by echo tracking technique. Methods: We selected 51 patients with highnormal blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, and 62 patients with high-normal blood pressure. Another 50 healthy cases were selected as normal control. Echo tracking technique was used to evaluate the carotid elastic modulus, including the stiffness parameter(β), pressure-strain elastic modulus(Ep), arterial compliance(AC), augment index(AI) and pulse wave conducting velocity(PWVβ). The intima-media thickness(IMT) was measured on routine ultrasonography. Carotid artery of the three groups showed no abnormalities on routine ultrasonography. Results: There was no difference in carotid elasticity between left and right side. Compared with the normal control group, β increased conspicuously in high-normal blood pressure and hyperlipidemia group and the high-normal blood pressure group, while AC was significantly lower. There was no difference in β and AC between the high-normal blood pressure and hyperlipidemia group and the high-normal blood pressure group. There was significant difference in Ep and PWVβ among the three groups, while there was no difference in AI and IMT. Conclusions: The elasticity of the carotid artery in high-normal blood pressure and hyperlipidemia group decreases obviously. Echo tracking technique may find the early change of the arterial elasticity, and it is superior than routine ultrasonography and may be helpful to prevent cardiac and cerebrovascular disease.
2012, Vol. 23 
