Increasing Peripheral Artery Intima Thickness From Childhood to Seniority
Osika W, Dangardt F, Gronros J, Lundstam U, Myredal A, Johansson M, Volkmann R, Gustavsson T, Gan LM, Friberg P
Department of Metabolism and Cardiovascular Research/Clinical Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Orebro University Hospital, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Goteborg University, Sweden; Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Goteborg, Sweden; Department of Internal Medicine, Varberg Hospital, Sweden; Department of Signals and Systems, Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden.
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2006 Dec 28; [Epub ahead of print]

• > Background --Using new, very high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy (Vevo 770, VisualSonics), we examined the thickness of artificial layers of silicone and intima thickness (IT) of radial and anterior tibial arteries in healthy subjects and in patients with vascular disease.
  METHODS AND RESULTS: Silicone layers of varying thicknesses and mesenteric artery specimens obtained from 18 patients undergoing colectomy were measured by both ultrasound biomicroscopy (55 MHz) and morphometry. There was high correlation (r>0.9; P<0.0001) between IT and intima area versus ultrasound biomicroscopy. In 90 healthy subjects (aged between 10 and 90 years), radial and anterior tibial arterial IT and intima-media thickness were measured, as was carotid intima-media thickness in 56 of these subjects. Age was strongly related with both media thickness and IT of both peripheral arteries. Correlations were found between carotid intima-media thickness and both radial and anterior tibial IT/intima-media thickness (r=0.44 to 0.53; P<0.0001). The IT-to-lumen diameter ratio increased with age and was larger at all ages in the anterior tibial artery (0.067+/-0.034) versus the radial artery (0.036+/-0.012; P<0.0001). A thicker radial intimal layer was found in patients with peripheral artery disease.
  CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to our knowledge in humans to show the feasibility of measuring IT of the radial and anterior tibial arteries using very high-resolution ultrasound. IT progresses with age, and the IT-to-lumen diameter ratio is largest in the arteries of the foot. Assessment of IT by ultrasound biomicroscopy may aid in detecting early peripheral vascular abnormalities.

  Note: Please note that the Vevo 770 is not a medical device and has not been approved for use on humans. Also, please note that the term “ultrasound biomicroscopy” is sometime used in the scientific literature and in this paper refers to the Vevo high-resolution micro-ultrasound system.