Arterial Wall Characteristics in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease. Preliminary Data Obtained at Different Arterial Sites by Radiofrequency-Based Wall Tracking System

The common carotid artery (CCA) and the common femoral artery (CFA) have different characteristics. We compared CCA and CFA intima-media thickness (IMT), diameter and stiffness in 50 healthy controls, 50 patients with cardiovascular risk factors (CV-RFs), and 50 patients with peripheral artery diseases (PADs) using radiofrequency-based ultrasound (Rf-US). Common femoral artery-IMT was significantly and similarly increased in patients with both CV-RF and PAD, whereas CCA-IMT was significantly greater only in patients with PAD. Common carotid artery diameter was increased and CFA diameter was decreased in patients with PAD. Common carotid artery and CFA pulse wave velocity (PWV) was increased only in patients with PAD. In the study population, age was directly related to CCA-IMT, diameter, and PWV (r = .52, .31, and .38; P < .0001 for all) but not to CFA vascular parameters (P = .10, .62, and .67). Common femoral artery–PWV was inversely related to the ankle–brachial index (r = −.30; P < .0001). Common femoral artery parameters are less linked to aging than the CCA parameters and may provide additional information on the atherosclerotic process. The Rf-US may be a useful tool for the more complex evaluation of arteries and assessing the impact of age and RFs on arteries.