Assessment of elasticity and viscosity in the human carotid artery using ultrasound shear wave dispersion imaging :a comparison study / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion ( SWD ) technique ,and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters . Methods Forty‐five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group ( ≥50 years old) and younger group ( ＜50 years old) according to the age . T he carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole ,axial elastic modulus ( SWER ) and viscous index ( SWDR ) were obtained . T he pulse wave velocity ( PWV ) ,a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator . T he difference of SWE R ,SWDR and PWV were compared between two groups ; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis ,respectively . Results ① Compared with the younger group ,the carotid PWV increased ,w hile SWE R and SWDR decreased in the elder group ( all P ＜0 .05) . ②In all subjects ,SWER was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .256 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) . In the elder group ,SWER was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝ －0 .357 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) ,and SWDR was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .393 , P ＜0 .05 ) . In the younger group ,SWDR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝0 .366 , P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions Compared with the elder group ,the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people ,and it is correlated with PWV . SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity ,and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics .