The novel technique of using superb microvascular imaging to determine carotid intima-media thickness

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the interobserver reliability when measuring the carotid intima media thickness (IMT) using superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and B-mode ultrasonography. Methods Two sonologists were selected to scan the left common carotid artery and measure IMT first with B-mode and then with SMI on 20 patients. They were blinded to each other results. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to estimate the inter-rater reliability using both the modes of scanning. Results Interobserver agreement when using SMI, for both near wall and far wall, was almost perfect (ICC, 0.870; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.700–0.946). Interobserver agreement when using B-mode was poor for near wall (ICC, 0.396; 95% CI, ?0.048–0.708) and moderate for far wall (ICC, 0.474, 95% CI, 0.070–0.749). Conclusions SMI proved to be a greatly reliable tool in the measurement of carotid IMT.