Abstract
BackgroundArterial stiffness is an early marker of atherosclerosis. The carotid arteries are easily accessible by ultrasound and are commonly used for the evaluation of atherosclerosis development. However, this stiffness assessment is based on the elastic properties of the artery, which may be influenced by the adjacent internal jugular vein (IJV).The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of internal jugular vein morphology on the stiffness of the common carotid artery.MethodsBilateral carotid ultrasound was performed in 248 individuals. When no carotid plaque was detected (90.9 % cases), the distensibility coefficient and β - stiffness index were calculated. The global and segmental circumferential strain parameters of the carotid wall were evaluated with 2D-Speckle Tracking. The cross-sectional area of the IJV and degree of its adherence to the carotid wall (angle of adherence) were measured.ResultsThe morphology of the IJV did not influence the standard stiffness parameters nor the global circumferential strain. However, segmental analysis found the sector adjacent to the IJV to have significantly higher strain parameters than its opposite counterpart. In addition, the strain correlated significantly and positively with IJV cross-sectional area and angle of adherence.ConclusionsThe movement of the carotid artery wall caused by the passage of the pulse wave is not homogeneous. The greatest strain is observed in a segment adjacent to the IJV, and the degree of wall deformation is associated with the size of the vein and the degree of its adherence.
Highlights
Arterial stiffness is an early marker of atherosclerosis
A newly-developed method derived from echocardiography which can be employed in the evaluation of local arterial stiffness is 2D-Speckle Tracking [3]
A carotid plaque was found on 25 left common carotid arteries (CCA) and 20 right CCA
Summary
The carotid arteries are accessible by ultrasound and are commonly used for the evaluation of atherosclerosis development This stiffness assessment is based on the elastic properties of the artery, which may be influenced by the adjacent internal jugular vein (IJV). A newly-developed method derived from echocardiography which can be employed in the evaluation of local arterial stiffness is 2D-Speckle Tracking [3] This tool offers the advantage of a more detailed, segment-base analysis of arterial wall mechanics than standard stiffness parameters [3, 7]. Unlike tissue Doppler imaging and IMT measurements, it is angle independent [8] It is more sensitive than βstiffness index in the detection of age-related changes in the arterial wall elasticity [5]. It is more sensitive than βstiffness index in the detection of age-related changes in the arterial wall elasticity [5]. 2D-Speckle Tracking might be useful in determining whether local conditions may influence the elastic properties of the arterial wall and bias any stiffness assessment
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