Validation of High-Resolution Ultrasound Measurements of Intima–Media Thickness of the Radial Artery for the Assessment of Structural Remodeling. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stegemann, Emilia; Sansone, R.; Stegemann, B.; Kelm, M.; Heiss, C.
• Is Part Of: Angiology. Volume 66:Number 6(2015)
• Page Start: 574
• Page End: 577
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: intima–media thickness -- radial artery -- reliability -- reproducibility -- transradial catheterization; Blood-vessels -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.13005
• DOI: 10.1177/0003319714544699
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-3197

Abstract

Radial artery (RA) intima–media thickness (IMT) could be used to study short- and long-term structural vascular adaptation following transradial cardiac catheterization. We aimed at assessing the reliability and reproducibility of RA-IMT measurement. Using high-resolution ultrasound, we studied RA-IMT in 17 patients, who underwent transradial catheterization via the right RA 1 to 12 months before. Radial artery intima–media thickness was measured in both arms, with the left RA as control. Repeated measurements were performed by 2 examiners and offline analyses were performed by independent blinded interpreters. Radial artery intima–media thickness was highly reliable with an interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.911 [0.870-0.939], a high examiner (ICCexaminer 0.910 [0.883-0.931]), and interpreter agreement (ICCinterpreter 0.963 [0.954-0.971]). Intima–media thickness at the radial access site was significantly increased compared with the contralateral RA (0.30 ± 0.056 vs 0.41 ± 0.055 mm, P < .00001). Radial artery intima–media thickness can be measured reliably using high-resolution ultrasound. Initial data suggest that transradial catheterization leads to long-term structural adaption processes.