研究内容

Carotid arterial elasticity based on the phased tracking method

Professor Kanai Hiroshi and Associate Professor Hasegawa Hideyuki, School of Engineering, Tohoku University, developed arterial elasticity based on the phased tracking method. Multiple points in arterial walls (area of one is 80μm in the depth direction and 200μm in the axial direction) were sequentially scanned with ultrasound diagnostic equipment. Then, the displacement of each point along each beam was obtained by applying the phased tracking method to the received echo (Fig 1).

Fig 2 shows the results of example. Carotid IMT of case A and B are same 0.5mm, within the normal range. However, carotid arterial elasticity of case A and B are different. This phased tracking method can detect case A is harder arterial elasticity.

We reported this method has potential for detecting atherosclerosis in its early stage of diabetes. It can detect early atherosclerosis in subjects with IMT<1.1mm, who are classified as not having atherosclerosis as defined by IMT criteria 1). This arterial elasticity can evaluate atherosclerosis in subjects with visceral adiposity and more sensitive than IMT and PWV).

At the present time, we conducted clinical research using this new method for inpatient and outpatient.

1) Okimoto H, Ishigaki Y, Koiwa Y, et al. Atherosclerosis 196:391-7, 2008)

2) Tokita A, Ishigaki Y, Okimoto H, et al. Atherosclerosis 206:168-72, 2009)