Objectives: To evaluate the value of ultrafast pulse wave velocity (ufPWV) for the quantitative assessment of carotid stiffness and its associated with atherosclerosis (AS) risk.
Methods: The present study included 233 patients with hyperlipoidaemia (AS risk group) and 114 healthy adults as the control group. The carotid (n = 694) intima-media thickness (cIMT), pulse wave velocity-beginning of systole (PWV-BS) and pulse wave velocity-end of systole (PWV-ES) were measured on sample images. Differences, distributive characteristics and correlation evaluation were assessed in patients (ages 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥70) and carotids (control group vs AS risk group).
Results: The cIMT, PWV-BS and PWV-ES increased with age; PWV-ES and cIMT showed an early significant increase in the 30-39 years group, whereas PWV-BS displayed a significant increase at 40-49 years compared with the 18- to 29-years group. Besides, PWV-ES correlated well with age compared with PWV-BS and cIMT. For carotid level, cIMT, PWV-BS and PWV-ES measurements were higher in the AS risk group compared with control. To compare the value of ufPWV and cIMT in early AS assessment, we subdivided groups into cIMT subgroups using a cut-off thickness of 0.050 cm. PWV-ES measurements were higher in the AS risk group compared with the control in the 0.040-0.050 cm (not thickened) and 0.051-0.060 cm (thickened) cIMT subgroups.
Conclusions: Carotid ufPWV measurement at PWV-ES is a novel modality for the early diagnosis and quantitative assessment of arterial stiffness associated with atherosclerotic risk.
Key points: • ufPWV technique is real-time and well repeatable for assessing carotid stiffness • ufPWV measurements increase and correlate well with age • PWV-ES is a quantitative predictor for the early assessment of AS.
Keywords: Arterial stiffness; Atherosclerosis; Carotid arteries; Carotid intima-media thickness; Pulse wave velocity.