OBJECTIVETo assess the value of ultrasonic radio frequency analysis technique for noninvasively evaluation of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and elasticity in patients with dyslipidemia.

METHODSRadio frequency quality intima-media thickness (RFQIMT) technique and radio frequency quality arterial stiffness ((RF)QAS) technique were used for measurement of IMT and pulse wave velocity (PWV) of the left carotid artery in 86 patients with dyslipidemia and 60 healthy volunteers.

RESULTSApart from the patients' age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, IMT and PWV differed significantly between the control and case groups. IMT was positively correlated with PWV (r=0.521, P<0.05). In patients with IMT<1.0 mm (n=81), PWV differed significantly between patients with different number of other atherogenic risk factors (P=0.004), but IMT showed no such variation (P=0.079). In patients with more than 3 and those with 2 other risk factors, PWV increased significantly as compared with those with one risk factor (P=0.002). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, age and fasting blood glucose were independently associated with PWV.

CONCLUSIONUltrasonic radio frequency analysis technique allows accurate measurement of IMT and arterial elasticity, and may thus become a valuable method for evaluating early structural and arterial functional change of the carotid artery.