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.
Keywords: Ultrasound; carotid distensibility; cerebral small vessel disease; common carotid artery.