Evaluation of carotid artery elasticity changes in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial elasticity of the common carotid artery (CCA) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) by applying radiofrequency (RF) ultrasound technology. METHODS Fifty SVD subjects (SVD group) and fifty-three matched controls (Control group) were enrolled in the study. Structural and functional changes in the common carotid arterial wall were investigated by quality intima-media thickness (QIMT) and quanlity arterial stiffness (QAS) with a Mylab Twice ultrasound instrument. The vessel related variables between these two groups were analyzed. RESULTS There was a significant higher value of CCA-IMT in SVD group than that in control group (P<0.01). Pulse wave velocity (PWV), stiffness coefficient (α) and stiffness index (β) were remarkably greater (P<0.01) while compliance coefficient (CC) decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the SVD group than control group. Furthermore, significant difference was found on IMT between left and right CCA in SVD (P<0.01) and control group (P<0.01) while no significant difference was found on CC, α, β and PWV between left and right CCA in SVD (P>0.05) and control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Decreased arterial elasticity of the CCA in patients with SVD compared with normal subjects. Ultrasound RF technology can be used to non-invasively and quantitatively detect the change in the structure and function of the CCA in SVD subjects for evaluating preclinical atherosclerosis.