An in vivo evaluation of the reproducibility of intima-media thickness measurements of the carotid artery segments using B-mode ultrasound

B-mode ultrasound may be used to measure the intima-media thickness (IMT) i n subjects with a history of atherosclerosis, The variability between measu rements depends on the subjective interpretation of ultrasonographers and r eaders. The two carotid arteries, subdivided in common (CCA), bulbus (BUL) and internal (ICA) of 10 men with proven coronary disease, were scanned twi ce by two ultrasonographers with a 1-week interval. The IMTs were measured off-line by two readers. The number of IMT measurements was 75 (94%) of 80 in the CCA, 61 (76%) of 80 in the BUL and 43 (54%) of 80 in the ICA segment . In the CCA segment, the agreement between readers (mean = 0.02 mm; limits : -0.26 to +0.3 mm) and between visits for each reader separately (reader 1 : mean = 0.01 mm; limits: -0.33 to +0.35 mm and, reader 2: mean = 0.04 mm; limits: -0.36 to +0.44 mm) was better than in the more distal segments. The refore, it is concluded that IMT measurements are best performed in the CCA segment. (C) 1999 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.