scholarly journals Handheld Versus Conventional Ultrasound for Assessing Carotid Artery in Routine Volunteers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Jin ◽  
Jianxiong Chen ◽  
Lanyue Tong ◽  
Cuiqin Shen ◽  
Lianfang Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Excellent Agreement ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Hemodynamic Parameters ◽  
Ultrasound Device ◽  
Conventional Ultrasound ◽  
Handheld Ultrasound ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Objective: The study aimed to estimate the feasibility and accuracy of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and hemodynamic parameters measurement in a handheld ultrasound device.Methods: Utilizing an ex vivo pig carotid artery sample, CIMT was measured with a handheld ultrasound and compared with histopathology. Then we performed a carotid ultrasound on 25 volunteers using a handheld ultrasound device and a conventional ultrasound system. After a week, these volunteers were scanned again by the same observer. Assessments of the max IMT, mean IMT and hemodynamic parameters (PSV, EDV, PI, RI, S/D, ACCEL, AT, TAMEAN) were compared. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess inter-device agreement. Repeatability and correlation of mean IMT were analyzed by Bland–Altman Plots and linear correlation analysis. Results: The mean IMT measured from the common carotid artery by handheld ultrasound showed good agreement (ICC=0.79) with conventional ultrasound. Furthermore, we obtained good repeatability and a consistent trend in the mean value of IMT before and after (r = 0.680, P < 0.01). In addition, the max IMT and the hemodynamic parameters (PSV, EDV, S/D, ACCEL, TAMEAN) showed moderate agreement (ICC=0.73, 0.52, 0.58, 0.70, 0.61, 0.51, respectively). The PI, RI and HR values were excellent agreement with conventional ultrasound (ICC=0.80, 0.84, 0.94). Conclusion: About the basic assessment of carotid, the images and parameters obtained using handheld ultrasound showed a moderate to excellent agreement with conventional ultrasound. The handheld ultrasonic devices can be widely used as a diagnostic tool for carotid artery structure and hemodynamics examination.

Validation of an Automated Computerized Analyzing System for Measuring Common Carotid Artery Intima–Media Thickness by Brightness Mode Ultrasound

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmuth F. Fritz ◽  
Roy V. Jutzy ◽  
Ramesh Bansal ◽  
Linda Housten-Feenstra
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Validation Study ◽  
Common Carotid Artery ◽  
Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Accuracy Analysis ◽  
Electronic Instrument ◽  
Carotid Ultrasound ◽  
Media Thickness ◽  
The Mean

Background and Purpose Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis by B-mode carotid ultrasound intima–media thickness (IMT) is an endorsed technique whose ease and precision is improved by use of automated IMT measurement algorithms. We report results of a validation study of SonoCalc, an automated IMT software program. Methods Three vascular sonographers measured the mean common carotid artery IMT twice of 120 near and far wall CCA segments from 30 subjects by manual electronic instrument calipers and with SonoCalc. Results Accuracy analysis indicated the equivalence of SonoCalc IMT measurements to those with manual electronic instrument calipers ( p < 0.0001). The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each set of duplicate SonoCalc and manual electronic instrument calipers measurements. The average SonoCalc-manual electronic instrument calipers CV differences significantly favored SonoCalc ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the use of the SonoCalc and the manual electronic instrument calipers produced measurements whose differences were statistically insignificant. Furthermore, the analysis to assess reproducibility of the two methods showed that the SonoCalc method was significantly more reproducible than the manual electronic instrument calipers methods.

P0195THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CALCIFICATION INHIBITOR LEVELS IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Sevinc ◽  
Gulay Yilmaz ◽  
Sedat Ustundag
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fetuin A ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background and Aims Atherosclerosis and its associated cardiovascular diseases starting from the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are the most important cause of increased morbi-mortality in the CKD process. In studies performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), it is observed that the calcification occured in the vascular structures was an important component of the atero-arteriolosclerosis process. The number of studies investigating the relationship between vascular calcification and the development of atherosclerosis and increased morbi-mortality in the process of CKD are quite small and limited to patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) treatment for ESRD. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the development of atherosclerosis and the role of calcification inhibitors fetuin-A, matrix-Gla protein (MGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG) in atherosclerosis progress. Method Our study was planned to investigate the relationship of serum OPG, MGP and fetuin-A levels with the development of atherosclerosis in the stage 2-3-4-5 chronic kidney patients who did not require dialysis treatment. Thirty-two (17 female, 15 male) healthy individuals and 92 (49 females, 43 males) CKD cases were included. The healthy control group did not have a history of regular use of medication for any reason, known acute or chronic disease. Chronic kidney disease group, with no acute disease, no history of known malignancy and cerebrovascular disease. The patients' GFR was also calculated with CKD-EPI Formula. The mean carotid artery intima media thickness was calculated by dividing the sum of right and left carotid artery intima media thickness. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0.0. Results The laboratory data of the healthy control group, stage 2 CKD group, stage 3 CKD group, stage 4 CKD group and stage 5 CKD groups were statistically compared with the healthy control group, between themselves and the whole CKD group, the results were given in Table-1. Chronic kidney disease group divided into two groups; carotid artery intima media thickness less than 0.750 millimeters (without subclinical atherosclerosis) and those above 0.750 millimeters (with subclinical atherosclerosis). The mean C-IMT, CRP, FETUIN-A, OPG and MGP of the two groups were compared statistically and the results are shown in Table-2. In chronic kidney patients, age (r = 0.493, p &lt;0.001), BMI (r = 0.337, p = 0.001), CRP (r = 0.301, p = 0.004), TG (r = 0.245, p = 0.019 ), urea (r = 0.228, p = 0.029), SBP (r = 0.212, p = 0.043), fasting blood sugar (r = 0.212, p = 0.043) have positive linear relationship, fetuin-A (r = -0.409, P = 0.001), OPG (r = -0.235, p = 0.024), GFR (r = -0.209, p = 0.046) have a negative linear relationship with CIMT. The multiple relationships between CIMT and other variables are given in Table-3. The mean CIMT (r =-0.417, p = 0.001), right CIMT (r = -0.412, p = 0.001), left CIMT (r = -0.410, p = 0.001), urea (r = -353, p = 0.007), CRP (r = -0.322, p = 0.014), UPE (r = -0.301, p = 0.022), creatinine (r = -0.277, p = 0.035), age (r = -0.262, p = 0.047) show a negative linear relationship with Fetuin-A. Multiple relationships between fetuin-A and other variables are given in Table-4. Conclusion Our study shows that; In particular, fetuin-A levels, which is a vascular calcification inhibitor, begin to decline from the early stages of CKD and is significantly lower in patients with atherosclerosis. This suggests that fetuin-A may be used as an early marker in CKD with increased cardiovascular mortality. On the other hand, contradictions related to the levels of OPG and MGP in CKD and its role in the development of atherosclerosis continue. The results in our study also support this situation. Reducing mortality and morbidity in CKD primarily depends on reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Pre-recognition of these risks is important, so large-scale studies on vascular calcification inhibitors are needed.

A Comparative Study for an Assessment of Arterial Stiffness with Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Clinical Determinants between those Individuals with and without Diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 1285-1292
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Common Carotid Artery ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
The Mean

Background: Arterial stiffness and dysfunction are clinical determinants in predicting long-term cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a novel tool in detecting atherosclerosis by measuring arterial stiffness along the aorta to tibial arteries. Objective: To compare clinical parameters between diabetes and non-diabetes groups. The present study explored clinical factors associated with CAVI of 8.0 or more in diabetes patients. Moreover, the study determined the correlation between CAVI and clinical predictors for long-term cardiovascular risk. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. The controls or non-diabetes were matched with the cases or diabetes in ratio 2:1 and aged matched in two groups, 40 years and older and less than 40 years old. Results: Two hundred fifty-two subjects were enrolled, 84 were diabetes and 168 were non-diabetes. The present study found those subjects with high body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 kg/m² or more and CAVI of 8.0 or more were the factors associated with greater risk of having diabetes than non-diabetes. Subjects with T2DM aged 40 years or older had 11.95 times greater risk of having CAVI of 8.0 or more than those younger than 40 years in T2DM (p=0.002). Known essential hypertension was another independent factor associated with 4.28 times greater risk of having CAVI of 8.0 or more than those without hypertension in T2DM (p=0.010). The present study found significant positive correlation between CAVI and the previously reported clinical markers, RAMA-EGAT score and the mean common carotid artery intima-media thickness, that predict long-term cardiovascular events in T2DM (Pearson’s correlation coefficient; r=0.6738 and 0.4207, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusion: Those subjects with CAVI of 8.0 or more and BMI of 25 kg/m² or more had significantly greater association with diabetes than nondiabetes. Age of 40 years or older and history of hypertension were independent risk of high CAVI of 8.0 or more in T2DM. CAVI also correlated with the previously reported clinical marker to predict long-term cardiovascular risk such as RAMA-EGAT score, the mean common carotid artery intima-media thickness in T2DM. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI); Arterial stiffness

Abstract P399: The Relationship Between Heart Rate Variability and Common Carotid Artery Intima-media Thickness. The ELSA-Brasil

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosangela Hoshi ◽  
Paulo A LOTUFO ◽  
Itamar S Santos ◽  
Alessandra C Goulart ◽  
Jose-Geraldo Mill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Common Carotid Artery ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Media Thickness ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Both conditions as a more width common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), and a low heart rate variability (HRV) have been associated with cardiovascular health-adverse outcomes. Although previous studies have somehow explored the relationship between these markers, they have not credited the influences exerted by factors such as aging, demographics, and lifestyle variables. Aim: to investigate whether cardio autonomic alterations are accompanied or not by subclinical atherosclerosis, in apparently healthy men and women aged 35 to 74 years-old examined at the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods: The Heart Rate Variability was evaluated on 5-min segments of beat-to-beat heart rate recordings using linear time and frequency domain analyses. The c-IMT images were performed using a Toshiba (Aplio XG™) with a 7.5 MHz linear transducer. The c-IMT was measured in the outer wall during three cardiac cycles. The images were analyzed with specific software (MIA™, Coralville, IA). For this study, c-IMT was defined as the average between the mean left and mean right c-IMT values, and it was analyzed as a continuous and categorized variable (P<75 or P >= 75). Multiple linear models using continuous variables and multivariate logistic regression with categorized cIMT and HRV quartiles were performed. Results: Out of 7,201 participants eligible for analyses, 1,685 (23.4%) presented cIM >= 75th percentile. We found significantly reduced HRV variables in subjects with cIMT>=P75 in comparison to those with cIMT<P75: standard deviation of NN interval (SDNN) 33.0 ms vs. 37.0ms( P< 0.001); root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent NN intervals (RMSSD) 22.0 ms vs. 26.0ms (P< 0.001); Low-Frequency 191.0ms 2 vs. 260.0ms 2 ( P< 0.001); High-Frequency 164.0 ms 2 vs. 238.5ms 2 ( P< 0.001). In a crude analysis, an increased Odds Ratio (OR)and 95% Confidence Intervals for cIMT >=P75 was verified within the lowest two quartiles of Low-Frequency:1st quartile, OR = 1.75 (95%CI: 1.39 to 2.19); 2nd quartile, OR= 1.53 (1.25 to 1.87).The same was observed for High-Frequency:1st quartile, OR = 1.94 (1.38 to 2.73); 2nd quartile, OR= 1.60 (1.20 to 2.15). However, those associations did not remain after adjustments for anthropometric and clinical variables for Low-Frequency (1st quartile, OR= 1.08 (0.83 to 1.40); 2nd quartile, OR= 1.22 (0.97 to1.55), and for High Frequency, 1st quartile, OR= 1.16 (0.77 to 1.73); 2nd quartile, OR= 1.17 (0.83 to 1.64). Conclusions: Subjects with cIMT greater or equal to 75th percentile presented lower HRV values. However, no independent relationships were detected between cIMT and HRV after multivariate adjustment, suggesting that they may assess different and complementary domains and provide relevant, useful, and non-redundant information of cardiovascular risk.

scholarly journals Abdominal aorta measurements by a handheld ultrasound device compared with a conventional cart-based ultrasound machine

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 376-382
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman M. Alfuraih ◽  
Abdulaziz I. Alrashed ◽  
Saleh O. Almazyad ◽  
Mohammed J. Alsaadi
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Ultrasound Machine ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Conventional Ultrasound ◽  
Handheld Ultrasound ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Operator Reproducibility

BACKGROUND: Ultraportable or pocket handheld ultrasound devices (HUD) may be useful for large-scale abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. However, the reproducibility of measurements has not been compared with conventional cart-based ultrasound machines. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the intra- and inter-operator reproducibility of a HUD compared with a conventional ultrasound machine for aortic screening. DESIGN: Analytical, cross-sectional. SETTING: Ultrasound department at a large tertiary care hospital in Riyadh. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible male participants aged ≥60 years were invited to participate upon arriving for a non-vascular ultrasound appointment. Three repeated anteroposterior measurements of the transverse aorta were made at the proximal and distal locations for each machine before repeating the measurements on a subset of participants by a second blinded operator. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the Bland-Altman method were used to analyze reproducibility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Inter-system and intra- and inter-operator ICCs. SAMPLE SIZE: 114 males with repeated measurements by second operator on a subset of 35 participants. RESULTS: The median age (interquartile range) of participants was 68 years (62–74 years). The intra- and inter-operator ICCs were all >0.800 showing almost perfect agreement except for the inter-operator reproducibility at the proximal location using a conventional machine (ICC= 0.583, P =.007) and the Butterfly device (ICC=0.467, P =.037). The inter-system ICCs (95% CI) were 0.818 (0.736–0.874) and 0.879 (0.799–0.924) at the proximal and distal locations, respectively. The mean difference in aortic measurement between the ultrasound systems was 0.3 mm (1.7%) in the proximal location and 0.6 mm (3.6%) in the distal location. In total, >91% of the difference in measurements between the machines was <3 mm. The mean scanning time was 4:16 minutes for the conventional system and 3:53 minutes for the HUD ( P =.34). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal aortic screening using a HUD was feasible and reliable compared with a conventional ultrasound machine. A pocket HUD should be considered for large-scale screening. LIMITATIONS: No cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the sample and lack of blinding. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Abstract WP197: Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness is Associated ith Incident Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in a Japanese General Population With a 12.6-year Follow-up: The Suita Study

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Kokubo ◽  
Makoto Watanabe ◽  
Aya Higashiyama ◽  
Yoko M. Nakao ◽  
Misa Takegami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Cerebral Infarction ◽  
Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Carotid Imt ◽  
Incident Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
The Mean

Introduction: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is increasingly used as a subclinical marker of cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have examined the association between IMT and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in non-Westerners. We assessed the hypothesis that carotid atherosclerosis is a predictor of CHD and stroke events in a general urban Japanese population. Methods: We studied 4,751 Japanese (2181 men and 2570 women, mean age 59.8 years, without stroke or CHD at the baseline) who completed a baseline survey and carotid atherosclerosis in the Suita Study, and were then followed for an average of 12.6 years. Carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by high-resolution ultrasonography with atherosclerotic indexes of IMT in the common carotid artery (CCA) and the carotid artery bulb. Mean IMT was defined as the mean of the IMT of the proximal and distal walls for both sides of the CCA at a point 10 mm proximal to the beginning of the dilation of each carotid artery bulb. Max-CCA and Max-Bulb were defined as the maximum IMT in the CCA and bulb areas, respectively. We used adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models to compare the risk of CHD and stroke by use of mean and maximum carotid IMT in the CCA and bulb areas. Results: During the follow-up, we documented 145 cerebral infarctions, 58 hemorrhagic strokes, 20 unclassified strokes, and 159 CHD. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals [CI], P for trend [P trend]) in the fourth quartile (≥ 0.95 mm) of the mean IMT for strokes, cerebral infarction, and CHD were 3.13 (1.48-6.63, P trend = 0.002), 3.34 (1.33-8.37, P trend = 0.002), and 1.93 (0.96-3.88, P trend <0.0001), respectively, compared with the first quartile (<0.775 mm). The adjusted HRs (95% CI) in the fourth quartiles of Max-CCA (≥1.10 mm) and Max-BIF (≥1.55 mm) were 2.48 (1.10-5.62, P trend = 0.07) and 3.28 (1.40-7.69, P trend <0.0001) in stroke, 1.87 (0.75-4.659, P trend = 0.07) and 2.83 (1.05-7.63, P trend = 0.005) in cerebral infarction, and 3.07 (1.18-8.04, P trend <0.0001) and 6.01 (2.02-17.9, P trend <0.0001) in CHD, respectively, compared with the first quartiles (<0.9 mm). Conclusions: Carotid IMT, especially Max-BIF was a strong predictor of stroke, cerebral infarction, and CHD in a Japanese urban general population.

scholarly journals Reproducibility of Ultrasonographic Measurements of Different Carotid and Femoral Artery Segments in Healthy Subjects and in Patients with Increased Intima-Media Thickness

1997 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Smilde ◽  
H. Wollersheim ◽  
H. Van Langen ◽  
A. F. H. Stalenhoef
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Femoral Artery ◽  
Common Carotid Artery ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Media Thickness ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right ◽  
Near Wall

1. The reproducibility of measurements of the arterial wall thickness in both the carotid and femoral artery was investigated by means of high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. For this purpose, subjects with normal and increased intima-media thickness were selected. Images were stored on an optical disk and were analysed with a semi-automatic software program by two readers. Individuals were scanned twice by two independent observers. 2. Measurements were performed of the far and near wall of the common carotid artery and bulbous in 30 healthy subjects and 19 patients known to have an increased intima-media thickness. Far-wall measurements were made of the internal carotid artery on both sides and common femoral artery on the right side only. 3. In healthy subjects the mean within-observer coefficient of variation was 1.8% and 3.0% for the far wall in the common carotid artery on the right side and left side, respectively. For the near wall the mean coefficient of variation of the common carotid artery was 2.8% on the right and 3.4% on the left side. The mean coefficient of variation was less than 4% for both far and near wall in the bulbous and far wall in the internal carotid artery. Even in patients with increased intima-media thickness the mean coefficient of variation of each segement was less than 4.5%. In the control subjects the between-observer coefficient of variation of the common carotid artery was 2.8% and 5.1% for the far wall on the right and left side, respectively, and 3.4% and 4.2% for the near wall on the right and left side. In healthy subjects a mean difference of 0.002 mm within observers was found in the right far-wall common carotid artery, with limits of agreement of −0.048 to 0.052 mm. The coefficient of repeatability was 0.050 mm. For patients with increased intima-media thickness the mean difference in this segment was −0.006 mm (−0.094 to 0.082) with a coefficient of repeatability of 0.088 mm. For the near wall in the common carotid artery and far and near wall in the bulbous and internal carotid artery the mean differences were larger, but were all below 0.1 mm. The differences and limits of agreements increased between observers. In patients the between-observer mean difference of the far wall of the common carotid artery was −0.055 mm (−0.255 to 0.145). For the common femoral artery of normal control subjects the within- and between-observer mean differences were 0.005 mm (−0.119 to 0.129) and 0.015 mm (−0.081 to 0.111), respectively. 4. In conclusion, the reproducibility of intima-media thickness measurements in the common carotid artery is reliable, even in patients with increased artery wall thickness. Also in other segments prone to atherosclerosis, such as the bulbous, internal carotid artery and common femoral artery, a good reproducibility was found. To obtain good reproducibility it is highly recommended to use the same ultrasonographer to scan patients in follow-up studies.

scholarly journals Carotid intima-media thickness and hemodynamic parameters: reproducibility of manual measurements with Doppler ultrasound

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana M Plasencia Martinez ◽  
Jose M Garcia Santos ◽  
Maria L Paredes Marti­nez ◽  
Ana Moreno Pastor
Keyword(s):  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Ultra Sound ◽  
Hemodynamic Parameters ◽  
Carotid Ultrasound ◽  
Carotid Imt ◽  
Media Thickness ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Right

Aims: To evaluate the carotid ultrasound intra- and interobserver agreements in a common clinical scenario when making manual measurements of the intima-media thickness (IMT) and peak systolic (PSV) and end diastolic (EDV) velocities in the common (CCA) and the internal carotid (ICA) arteries. Material and methods: Three different experienced operators per- formed two time-point carotid ultrasounds in 21 patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Each operator measured freehand the CCA IMT three consecutive times in each examination. The CCA and ICA hemodynamic parameters were acquired just once. For our purpose we took the average (IMTmean) and maximum (IMTmax) IMT values. Quantitative variables were analyzed with the t-student, and ANOVA test. Agreements were evaluated with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results: IMTmean intraobserver agreement was better on the left (ICC: 0.930-0.851-0.916, operators 1-2-3) than on the right (ICC: 0.789-0.580-0.673, operators 1-2-3). IMTmax agreements (Left ICC: 0.821-0.723-0.853, operators 1-2-3; Right ICC: 0.669- 0.421-0.480, operators 1-2-3) were lower and more variable. Interobserver agreements for IMTmean (ICC: 0.852-0.860; first-second ultrasound) and IMTmax (ICC: 0.859-0.835; first-second ultrasound) were excellent on the left, but fair-good and more variable on the right (IMTmean; ICC: 0.680-0.809; first-second ultrasound; IMTmax; 0.694-0.799; first-second ultra- sound). Intraobserver agreements were fair-moderate for PSVs and good-excellent for EDVs. Interobserver agreements were good-excellent for both PSVs and EDVs. Overall, 95% confidence intervals were narrower for the left IMTmean and CCA velocities. Conclusions: Intra and interobserver agreements in carotid ultrasound are variable. In order to improve carotid IMT agreements, IMTmean is preferable over IMTmax.

Adaptation of the Connected Speech Test: Rerecording and Passage Equivalency

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan K. Saleh ◽  
Paula Folkeard ◽  
Ewan Macpherson ◽  
Susan Scollie
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
North American ◽  
First Language ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Connected Speech ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Speech Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Unit Standard

Purpose The original Connected Speech Test (CST; Cox et al., 1987) is a well-regarded and often utilized speech perception test. The aim of this study was to develop a new version of the CST using a neutral North American accent and to assess the use of this updated CST on participants with normal hearing. Method A female English speaker was recruited to read the original CST passages, which were recorded as the new CST stimuli. A study was designed to assess the newly recorded CST passages' equivalence and conduct normalization. The study included 19 Western University students (11 females and eight males) with normal hearing and with English as a first language. Results Raw scores for the 48 tested passages were converted to rationalized arcsine units, and average passage scores more than 1 rationalized arcsine unit standard deviation from the mean were excluded. The internal reliability of the 32 remaining passages was assessed, and the two-way random effects intraclass correlation was .944. Conclusion The aim of our study was to create new CST stimuli with a more general North American accent in order to minimize accent effects on the speech perception scores. The study resulted in 32 passages of equivalent difficulty for listeners with normal hearing.

Correlation of Serum Sclerostin Levels with Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Chronic Kidney Disease Hemodialysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Adhi Permana ◽  
Ian Effendi ◽  
Taufik Indrajaya
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Media Thickness ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sclerostin Level ◽  
Hemodialysis Duration

Chronic kidney disease is associated with a high mortality rate, especially cardiovascular disease associated with mineral and bone disorders. Sclerostin is an inhibitor of Wnt signaling which has the effect of increasing the occurrence of vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease. There are several studies that show different results. Carotid intima media thickness ultrasound examination is a tool to identify atherosclerosis which is part of vascular calcification. The aim of this study is to look at the correlation of sclerostin with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. In this cross section, the concentration of sclerostin was measured by examination of enzymed linked immunosorbent assay. CIMT measurement by ultrasound mode B examination. There were 40 patients in this study. The mean sclerostin level was 256.68 ± 127.76 pg / ml. Sclerostin levels are declared high if above 162 pg / ml there are 30 people. CIMT thickening was present in 11 patients. There was no significant correlation of serum sclerostin with CIMT in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis (r-0.32 p0,847). In multivariate linear regression, hemodialysis duration is an independent factor that is significantly significant with CIMT. There was no significant correlation of serum sclerostin with CIMT in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

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