Evaluation of carotid artery elasticity changes in patients with cerebral small vessel disease.

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intima-media thickness (IMT) and arterial elasticity of the common carotid artery (CCA) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) by applying radiofrequency (RF) ultrasound technology. Methods: Fifty SVD subjects (SVD group) and fifty-three matched controls (Control group) were enrolled in the study. Structural and functional changes in the common carotid arterial wall were investigated by quality intima-media thickness (QIMT) and quanlity arterial stiffness (QAS) with a Mylab Twice ultrasound instrument. The vessel related variables between these two groups were analyzed. Results: There was a significant higher value of CCA-IMT in SVD group than that in control group (P 0.05) and control group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Decreased arterial elasticity of the CCA in patients with SVD compared with normal subjects. Ultrasound RF technology can be used to non-invasively and quantitatively detect the change in the structure and function of the CCA in SVD subjects for evaluating preclinical atherosclerosis.