CORRELATION OF ULTRASOUND-MEASURED COMMON CAROTID-ARTERY STIFFNESS WITH PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

To quantitatively and noninvasively evaluate common carotid atheroscle rosis in a series of patients, we measured the stiffness parameter bet a, which represents the mechanical properties of the vessel. beta was calculated from the relationship between blood pressure and the diamet er of the artery as measured by an ultrasonic, phase-locked, echo-trac king system. Increases in the severity grade of atherosclerosis as sub sequently determined at autopsy were correlated with increased beta va lues in 60 common carotid arteries (r=.68). Patients with beta values greater than 13 had a pathological diagnosis of atherosclerosis in the common carotid artery. The sensitivity of this discrimination ratio w as 80%, and the specificity was 80% as well. Thus, beta shows promise as a useful diagnostic indicator for detecting asymptomatic common car otid atherosclerosis. (Arterioscler Thromb. 1994;14:479-482.)