Sandholt Benjamin V, Collet-Billon Antoine, Entrekin Robert, Sillesen Henrik H
Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Philips Healthcare, Bothell, Washington, USA.
Ultrasound Med Biol. 2018 Mar;44(3):670-676. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.10.018. Epub 2017 Dec 25.
We tested a novel 3-D matrix transducer with respect to inter-scan reproducibility of carotid maximum plaque thickness (MPT) and volume measurements. To improve reproducibility while focusing on the largest plaque/most diseased part of the carotid artery, we introduced a new partial plaque volume (PPV) measure centered on MPT. Total plaque volume (TPV), PPV from a 10-mm segment and MPT were measured using dedicated semi-automated software on 38 plaques from 26 patients. Inter-scan reproducibility was assessed using the t-test, Bland-Altman plots and Pearson's correlation coefficient. There was a mean difference of 0.01 mm in MPT (limits of agreement: -0.45 to 0.42 mm, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.96). Both volume measurements exhibited high reproducibility, with PPV being superior (limits of agreement: -35.3 mm to 33.5 mm, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.96) to TPV (limits of agreement: -88.2 to 61.5 mm, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.91). The good reproducibility revealed by the present results encourages future studies on establishing plaque quantification as part of cardiovascular risk assessment and for follow-up of disease progression over time.
我们针对颈动脉最大斑块厚度（MPT）和体积测量的扫描间可重复性，测试了一种新型三维矩阵换能器。为提高可重复性，同时聚焦于颈动脉最大斑块/病变最严重的部分，我们引入了一种以MPT为中心的新的部分斑块体积（PPV）测量方法。使用专用的半自动软件，对26例患者的38个斑块测量了总斑块体积（TPV）、10毫米节段的PPV和MPT。使用t检验、布兰德-奥特曼图和皮尔逊相关系数评估扫描间的可重复性。MPT的平均差异为0.01毫米（一致性界限：-0.45至0.42毫米，皮尔逊相关系数：0.96）。两种体积测量均显示出高可重复性，PPV优于TPV（一致性界限：-35.3毫米至33.5毫米，皮尔逊相关系数：0.96），TPV的一致性界限为-88.2至61.5毫米，皮尔逊相关系数：0.91。本研究结果显示的良好可重复性，鼓励未来开展相关研究，将斑块量化作为心血管风险评估的一部分，并用于随时间跟踪疾病进展。
