Parametric (integrated backscatter and attenuation) images constructed using backscattered radio frequency signals (25-56 MHz) from human aortae in vitro.

Quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization using backscattered high-frequency intravascular ultrasound could provide a basis for the objective identification of lesions in vivo. Representation of local measurements of quantitative ultrasonic parameters in a conventional image format should facilitate their interpretation and thus increase their clinical utility. Toward this goal, the apparent integrated backscatter, the slope of attenuation (25-56 MHz) and the value of the attenuation on the linear fit at 37.5 MHz were measured using the backscattered radio frequency signals from in vitro human aortae. Local estimations of these ultrasonic parameters from both normal and atherosclerotic aortic segments were displayed in a B-scan format. The morphological features of these parametric images corresponded well to features of histological images of the same regions. The attenuation from 25-56 MHz of seven segments of the medial layer (both with and without overlying atheroma) were measured using the multinarrow-band backscatter method. The average attenuation in the media at 24 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C was 45 +/- 16 dB/cm at 25 MHz and 102 +/- 13 dB/cm at 50 MHz. This work represents progress toward the development of quantitative imaging methods for intravascular applications.