Relationship between upper limb peripheral artery stiffness using the radial artery and atherosclerotic parameters

Abstract

These results suggest that ULPAS may provide new information in association with some atherosclerotic conditions as a unique index different from IMT and CAVI.

Arterial Wall Elasticity Measured Using the Phased Tracking Method and Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Histopathological data obtained using the phased tracking method indicate high AWE values in tissue with proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells 14) . Another study showed that the radial AWE is significantly and positively correlated with the serum C-reactive protein level, an inflammatory index 16) . Inflammation induced by endothelial dysfunction is the primary pathological basis for atherosclerosis 17) .…”

“…Recently, a noninvasive, transcutaneous, ultrasonic technique using the phased tracking method was developed to evaluate arterial wall elasticity (AWE). This method is believed to be able to detect atherosclerotic changes in association with regional tissue composition [14][15][16] . During a single heartbeat, the displacement of each point of the arterial wall from the luminal surface to the adventitia is tracked along an ultrasonic beam, and minute changes in the thickness of different layers can be detected, allowing the elastic modulus to provide information on regional tissue composition [14][15][16] .…”

“…The carotid AWE has been reported to be significantly associated with atherosclerotic markers, such as the carotid max-IMT and pulse wave velocity, in T2DM patients 15) , whereas the radial AWE is significantly associated with the serum C-reactive protein level, a chronic inflammatory index, in healthy subjects 16,17) . Therefore, measuring the AWE may be useful for evaluating the degree of atherosclerotic overload.…”

“…Therefore, measuring the AWE may be useful for evaluating the degree of atherosclerotic overload. However, currently, only a few studies have evaluated the AWE measured according to the phased tracking method in different arteries or different populations 15,16) ; therefore, further clinical data are required to establish the clinical utility of AWE measurement using this method. For this purpose, we investigated the relationship between the degree of atherosclerotic risk overload and the AWE in addition to the differences in AWE between patients with and without microangiopathic complications in order to determine whether upper limb AWE measurement can be used as new approach for evaluating atherosclerosis.…”

“…The brachial AWE and radial AWE were evaluated using the phased tracking method [14][15][16] . The brachial and radial arteries were assessed above the antecubital fossa and approximately 5 cm proximal to the wrist with the palm turned upward, respectively, in the supine position in a quiet, temperature-controlled room.…”