Reproducibility of measurements of intima-media thickness and distensibility in the common carotid artery.

OBJECTIVE

To assess reproducibility of ultrasonographic measurements of arterial distensibility and intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid arteries.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

MATERIALS

Measurements of IMT and arterial distensibility were performed on-line in B-mode and M-mode, respectively. Blood pressure was assessed. From the measured variables stiffness indices were derived.

METHODS

Twenty-five persons were included in the IMT study, both healthy subjects and patients with atherosclerotic disease. Distensibility was measured in a randomly selected subgroup of 10 persons. All subjects were examined by two different sonographers on the same day and were re-examined after 1 or 2 weeks.

RESULTS

When data from both carotid arteries were combined, the interobserver coefficient of variation of IMT was on average 11.7%, of diastolic diameter 3.3% of distension and relative distension 11.8%, of distensibility coefficient 12.3%, and of stiffness parameter beta 19%. Intraobserver variability was slightly lower than interobserver variability. Variability for measurements in the right common carotid artery only was higher than for measurements of both carotid arteries combined.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that reproducibility of measurements of IMT and arterial distensibility of the common carotid artery, by B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography respectively, is acceptable when used in large studies.