DYNAMIC VESSEL WALL PROPERTIES AND THEIR REPRODUCIBILITY IN SUBJECTS WITH INCREASED CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Objective: To determine reproducibility figures of dynamic arterial wa ll properties such as cross-sectional compliance (CC) and distensibili ty (DC) in subjects with increased cardiovascular risk, in comparison with healthy adults. Methods: A total of 34 persons were divided into three groups with varying cardiovascular risk factors. Diameters (D) a nd diameter changes (Delta D) during the heart cycle of both common ca rotid (CCA) and right common femoral (CFA) arteries were measured by a vessel wall movement detector system. Blood pressures (BP) were recor ded non-invasively by a semi-automated oscillometric device. CC (= pi D(Delta D/2 Delta P) in unit mm(2)/kPa) and DC (= (2 Delta D/D)/Delta P in unit 10(-3)/kPa) were calculated from the above-mentioned paramet ers. Measurements were performed twice during one visit and twice agai n with a time interval of at least 3 days to determine intraobserver i ntra- and intersession variability. Results: Reproducibility figures o f CC and DC of the CCA Varied between 8 and 12%, and between 13 and 22 % for the CFA. Intra-observer intra- and intersession variability were similar in the three groups. Conclusions: In our studies the reproduc ibility of dynamic Vascular wall properties determined by ultrasound w as good. Despite differences in the absolute values for CC and DC in g roups with increased cardiovascular risk, mean reproducibility figures remained at a similar level (8-12%) as in healthy volunteers.