Aortic Intima

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David Burgner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • increased Aortic Intima media thickness following kawasaki disease
    Atherosclerosis, 2017
    Co-Authors: Michael Cheung, David Burgner, Katherine Y H Chen, Diana Zannino, Nigel Curtis
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background and aims The cardiovascular risk following Kawasaki disease (KD), especially in those without coronary artery changes or with regressed coronary artery lesions, is unclear. We assessed markers of early atherosclerosis in individuals following KD, including those with and without coronary artery abnormalities. Methods We performed a cross-sectional case-control study of 60 patients (25 with always normal coronary arteries and 35 with abnormalities) and 60 controls, at least two years after KD. Non-invasive assessment of arterial structure (carotid and Aortic Intima-media thickness (IMT)) and function (pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility and diameter compliance) was done. Analyses were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Results Kawasaki disease patients had increased Aortic IMT compared to controls (0.53 mm (95% CI 0.51–0.56) versus 0.49 (95% CI 0.47–0.52), p  = 0.04), largely driven by those with abnormal coronary arteries. There were no differences in carotid IMT. Kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery abnormalities had reduced carotid distensibility compared to controls (15.16% (95% CI 13.67–16.65) versus 17.50 (95% CI 16.43–18.58), p  = 0.02). Conclusions Patients with KD have increased Aortic IMT and reduced carotid distensibility, indicating heightened cardiovascular risk, especially in those with coronary artery abnormalities. In our study, we used validated surrogates for cardiovascular disease risk. Our findings, therefore, warrant follow-up investigations in KD patients.

  • inflammation lipids and Aortic Intima media thickness in newborns following chorioamnionitis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2016
    Co-Authors: Anthony R Rafferty, Michael Cheung, Lorraine Mcgrory, Sheryle Rogerson, Diana Ziannino, Jan Pyman, Peter G Davis, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    AIM: This study investigated whether chorioamnionitis was associated with increased inflammation, dyslipidaemia and adverse cardiovascular phenotypes in the immediate postnatal period. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included preterm infants (30(+0) -35(+6) weeks gestational age, GA) whose mothers did not have pregnancy-related conditions that may influence outcomes. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by placental histology, and infants were divided retrospectively into cases (chorioamnionitis-exposed) and controls (unexposed). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipid profile, far-wall abdominal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) and blood pressure (BP) were measured in the first week of life. RESULTS: There were 20 (16 male, mean GA 32.4 weeks) cases and 31 (12 male, mean GA 32.6 weeks) controls. Histological chorioamnionitis was associated with a significant increase in hsCRP and a non-significant trend towards an adverse lipid profile. There was no evidence of differences in aIMT or BP. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis have greater postnatal inflammation. There were no early postnatal differences in aIMT or BP. The inflammatory stimulus of chorioamnionitis late in gestation may be of insufficient intensity and duration to result in immediate postnatal alterations to arterial structure. Cardiovascular follow-up of infants exposed to chorioamnionitis may identify differential risk trajectories and subsequent inflammatory responses.

  • Aortic Intima media thickness measured by trans abdominal ultrasound as an early life marker of subclinical atherosclerosis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2014
    Co-Authors: Michael R Skilton, Kate Mccloskey, Peter Vuillermin, Annelouise Ponsonby, Michael Cheung, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that begins in early life. Improved identification of markers of early atherosclerosis via neonatal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) measurement may allow the development of interventions to prevent or reduce later cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Using aIMT, studies have shown that antenatal factors such as intra-uterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal factors and inflammation are associated with early cardiovascular changes.

  • Aortic Intima‐media thickness measured by trans‐abdominal ultrasound as an early life marker of subclinical atherosclerosis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2013
    Co-Authors: Kate Mccloskey, Michael R Skilton, Peter Vuillermin, Annelouise Ponsonby, Michael Cheung, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that begins in early life. Improved identification of markers of early atherosclerosis via neonatal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) measurement may allow the development of interventions to prevent or reduce later cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Using aIMT, studies have shown that antenatal factors such as intra-uterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal factors and inflammation are associated with early cardiovascular changes.

Michael Cheung - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • increased Aortic Intima media thickness following kawasaki disease
    Atherosclerosis, 2017
    Co-Authors: Michael Cheung, David Burgner, Katherine Y H Chen, Diana Zannino, Nigel Curtis
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background and aims The cardiovascular risk following Kawasaki disease (KD), especially in those without coronary artery changes or with regressed coronary artery lesions, is unclear. We assessed markers of early atherosclerosis in individuals following KD, including those with and without coronary artery abnormalities. Methods We performed a cross-sectional case-control study of 60 patients (25 with always normal coronary arteries and 35 with abnormalities) and 60 controls, at least two years after KD. Non-invasive assessment of arterial structure (carotid and Aortic Intima-media thickness (IMT)) and function (pulse wave velocity, carotid artery distensibility and diameter compliance) was done. Analyses were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Results Kawasaki disease patients had increased Aortic IMT compared to controls (0.53 mm (95% CI 0.51–0.56) versus 0.49 (95% CI 0.47–0.52), p  = 0.04), largely driven by those with abnormal coronary arteries. There were no differences in carotid IMT. Kawasaki disease patients with coronary artery abnormalities had reduced carotid distensibility compared to controls (15.16% (95% CI 13.67–16.65) versus 17.50 (95% CI 16.43–18.58), p  = 0.02). Conclusions Patients with KD have increased Aortic IMT and reduced carotid distensibility, indicating heightened cardiovascular risk, especially in those with coronary artery abnormalities. In our study, we used validated surrogates for cardiovascular disease risk. Our findings, therefore, warrant follow-up investigations in KD patients.

  • perinatal microbial exposure may influence Aortic Intima media thickness in early infancy
    International Journal of Epidemiology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Kate Mccloskey, Peter Vuillermin, Michael Cheung, John B Carlin
    Abstract:

    Background: The maternal and infant microbiome may influence infant cardiovascular risk through immune programming. The maternal vagino-enteric microbiome is often sampled for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during pregnancy. Our aim was to investigate the association between maternal GBS colonization, intrapartum antibiotics, antenatal pet exposure and infant Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT), an intermediate vascular phenotype, and whether this association varied by mode of delivery. Methods: The Barwon Infant Study is a population-derived pre-birth cohort. Perinatal data were collected on participants. Women were tested for vagino-enteric group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during third trimester. Six-week infant aIMT was measured by trans-abdominal ultrasound. Adjustment for confounders included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), smoking, socioeconomic status, gestational diabetes, length of gestation, infant sex, birthweight and Aortic internal diameter. Results: Data were available on 835 mother-infant pairs. Of these, 574 (69%) women delivered vaginally; of those, 129 (22%) were GBS-colonized; and of these women, 111 (86%) received prophylactic intrapartum antibiotics. An association between maternal GBS colonization and infant aIMT was observed among those delivered vaginally (β = 19.5 µm, 95% CI 9.5, 29.4; P  < 0.0001) but not by Caesarean section ( P for interaction = 0.02). A similar pattern was seen for intrapartum antibiotics. There was a negative association between antenatal pet exposure and aIMT observed in those delivered vaginally. Conclusion: Maternal GBS colonization and intrapartum antibiotics were associated with increased infant aIMT in those delivered vaginally, whereas antenatal pet exposure was associated with decreased aIMT. These data suggest that differences in early life microbial experience may contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk.

  • inflammation lipids and Aortic Intima media thickness in newborns following chorioamnionitis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2016
    Co-Authors: Anthony R Rafferty, Michael Cheung, Lorraine Mcgrory, Sheryle Rogerson, Diana Ziannino, Jan Pyman, Peter G Davis, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    AIM: This study investigated whether chorioamnionitis was associated with increased inflammation, dyslipidaemia and adverse cardiovascular phenotypes in the immediate postnatal period. METHODS: This prospective case-control study included preterm infants (30(+0) -35(+6) weeks gestational age, GA) whose mothers did not have pregnancy-related conditions that may influence outcomes. Chorioamnionitis was diagnosed by placental histology, and infants were divided retrospectively into cases (chorioamnionitis-exposed) and controls (unexposed). Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), lipid profile, far-wall abdominal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) and blood pressure (BP) were measured in the first week of life. RESULTS: There were 20 (16 male, mean GA 32.4 weeks) cases and 31 (12 male, mean GA 32.6 weeks) controls. Histological chorioamnionitis was associated with a significant increase in hsCRP and a non-significant trend towards an adverse lipid profile. There was no evidence of differences in aIMT or BP. CONCLUSION: Preterm infants exposed to chorioamnionitis have greater postnatal inflammation. There were no early postnatal differences in aIMT or BP. The inflammatory stimulus of chorioamnionitis late in gestation may be of insufficient intensity and duration to result in immediate postnatal alterations to arterial structure. Cardiovascular follow-up of infants exposed to chorioamnionitis may identify differential risk trajectories and subsequent inflammatory responses.

  • Aortic Intima media thickness measured by trans abdominal ultrasound as an early life marker of subclinical atherosclerosis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2014
    Co-Authors: Michael R Skilton, Kate Mccloskey, Peter Vuillermin, Annelouise Ponsonby, Michael Cheung, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that begins in early life. Improved identification of markers of early atherosclerosis via neonatal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) measurement may allow the development of interventions to prevent or reduce later cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Using aIMT, studies have shown that antenatal factors such as intra-uterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal factors and inflammation are associated with early cardiovascular changes.

  • Aortic Intima‐media thickness measured by trans‐abdominal ultrasound as an early life marker of subclinical atherosclerosis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2013
    Co-Authors: Kate Mccloskey, Michael R Skilton, Peter Vuillermin, Annelouise Ponsonby, Michael Cheung, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that begins in early life. Improved identification of markers of early atherosclerosis via neonatal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) measurement may allow the development of interventions to prevent or reduce later cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Using aIMT, studies have shown that antenatal factors such as intra-uterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal factors and inflammation are associated with early cardiovascular changes.

Kate Mccloskey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • perinatal microbial exposure may influence Aortic Intima media thickness in early infancy
    International Journal of Epidemiology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Kate Mccloskey, Peter Vuillermin, Michael Cheung, John B Carlin
    Abstract:

    Background: The maternal and infant microbiome may influence infant cardiovascular risk through immune programming. The maternal vagino-enteric microbiome is often sampled for group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during pregnancy. Our aim was to investigate the association between maternal GBS colonization, intrapartum antibiotics, antenatal pet exposure and infant Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT), an intermediate vascular phenotype, and whether this association varied by mode of delivery. Methods: The Barwon Infant Study is a population-derived pre-birth cohort. Perinatal data were collected on participants. Women were tested for vagino-enteric group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization during third trimester. Six-week infant aIMT was measured by trans-abdominal ultrasound. Adjustment for confounders included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), smoking, socioeconomic status, gestational diabetes, length of gestation, infant sex, birthweight and Aortic internal diameter. Results: Data were available on 835 mother-infant pairs. Of these, 574 (69%) women delivered vaginally; of those, 129 (22%) were GBS-colonized; and of these women, 111 (86%) received prophylactic intrapartum antibiotics. An association between maternal GBS colonization and infant aIMT was observed among those delivered vaginally (β = 19.5 µm, 95% CI 9.5, 29.4; P  < 0.0001) but not by Caesarean section ( P for interaction = 0.02). A similar pattern was seen for intrapartum antibiotics. There was a negative association between antenatal pet exposure and aIMT observed in those delivered vaginally. Conclusion: Maternal GBS colonization and intrapartum antibiotics were associated with increased infant aIMT in those delivered vaginally, whereas antenatal pet exposure was associated with decreased aIMT. These data suggest that differences in early life microbial experience may contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk.

  • Aortic Intima media thickness measured by trans abdominal ultrasound as an early life marker of subclinical atherosclerosis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2014
    Co-Authors: Michael R Skilton, Kate Mccloskey, Peter Vuillermin, Annelouise Ponsonby, Michael Cheung, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that begins in early life. Improved identification of markers of early atherosclerosis via neonatal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) measurement may allow the development of interventions to prevent or reduce later cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Using aIMT, studies have shown that antenatal factors such as intra-uterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal factors and inflammation are associated with early cardiovascular changes.

  • Aortic Intima‐media thickness measured by trans‐abdominal ultrasound as an early life marker of subclinical atherosclerosis
    Acta Paediatrica, 2013
    Co-Authors: Kate Mccloskey, Michael R Skilton, Peter Vuillermin, Annelouise Ponsonby, Michael Cheung, David Burgner
    Abstract:

    UNLABELLED: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that begins in early life. Improved identification of markers of early atherosclerosis via neonatal Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) measurement may allow the development of interventions to prevent or reduce later cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSION: Using aIMT, studies have shown that antenatal factors such as intra-uterine growth retardation, prematurity, maternal factors and inflammation are associated with early cardiovascular changes.

Hilmi Erdem Sumbul - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Aortic Intima-media thickness can be used to determine target organ damage in adult patients with coronary artery disease risk factors.
    Archives of Medical Science - Atherosclerotic Diseases, 2020
    Co-Authors: Atilla Bulut, Hilmi Erdem Sumbul, Yurdaer Dönmez, Armağan Acele, Burcak Cakir Pekoz, Murat Erdogan, Yahya Kemal Icen
    Abstract:

    Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between abdominal Aortic Intima-media thickness (AA-IMT) and thoracic Aortic Intima-media thickness (TA-IMT) values and to investigate their relationship with common carotid Intima-media thickness (CC-IMT) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. Material and methods: This study included 100 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination for different reasons with at least one CAD risk factor. CC-IMT, AA-IMT, and TA-IMT values were measured. Patients with CC-IMT > 0.9 mm were considered as having increased CC-IMT. Patients were divided into two groups with and without increased CC-IMT. Results: Mean AA-IMT and TA-IMT values of all patients were 1.55 ±0.27 mm and 1.39 ±0.25 mm, respectively. In patients with increased CC-IMT, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and hypertension frequency, creatinine, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and uric acid levels, AA-IMT and TA-IMT values were higher, while the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level was lower than the normal CC-IMT group. AA-IMT, systolic blood pressure (SBP), total and HDL cholesterol levels independently determined the patients with CC-IMT > 0.9 mm. Each 0.1 mm increase in AA-IMT value was found to increase the probability of having CC-IMT > 0.9 mm. In addition, linear regression analysis showed that CC-IMT was closely and independently related to AA-IMT (p 0.9 mm with 86% sensitivity and 82% specificity. Conclusions: The AA-IMT value was found to be higher than TA-IMT in the same patient. Also it was found that AA-IMT was more closely related to CC-IMT.

  • coronary artery disease severity is associated with abdominal Aortic Intima media thickness in patients with non st segment elevation myocardial infarction
    Angiology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Yahya Kemal Icen, Hilmi Erdem Sumbul
    Abstract:

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Aortic Intima–media thickness (aIMT) and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial i...

  • Coronary Artery Disease Severity Is Associated With Abdominal Aortic Intima–Media Thickness in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction:
    Angiology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Yahya Kemal Icen, Hilmi Erdem Sumbul
    Abstract:

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Aortic Intima–media thickness (aIMT) and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial i...

  • the abdominal Aortic Intima media thickness increases in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
    Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 2018
    Co-Authors: Hilmi Erdem Sumbul
    Abstract:

    Background We aimed to determine whether there is an increase in Aortic Intima-media thickness values measured from the abdominal aorta in addition to the traditional carotid Intima-media thickness in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and to determine the parameters closely related to Aortic Intima-media thickness. Methods This perspective study included 65 primary hyperparathyroidism patients and 30 healthy-controls. Routine laboratory tests for the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and vascular ultrasound examinations were performed. Common carotid, internal carotid, and abdominal Aortic Intima media thickness were measured. The participants of the study was divided into 3 groups as the control (Group–I), the medical treatment (Group–II) due to primary hyperparathyroidism, and the planned surgery (group–III). Results Aortic Intima-media thickness, serum urea, creatinine, glucose, uric acid, hs-CRP, parathyroid hormone, calcium and urine calcium levels increased significantly from Group–I to Group–III and T–scores and serum phosphorus in levels decreased significantly. Carotid Intima-media thicknesses were not significantly different between the groups. Serum and urinary calcium levels were independently associated with Aortic Intima-media thickness. Aortic Intima-media thickness, serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, T-scores, serum and urinary calcium levels are independent indicators for Group–III. When the cut-off value of Aortic Intima-media thickness was taken as 1.5 mm, 80.6% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity were determined for patients who would go to surgery. Conclusion Serum and urine calcium levels were independently associated with Aortic Intima-media thickness. Aortic Intima-media thickness is more useful than carotid Intima-media thickness in showing vascular organ involvement in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

  • The Abdominal Aortic Intima-Media Thickness Increases in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism.
    Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association, 2018
    Co-Authors: Hilmi Erdem Sumbul
    Abstract:

    We aimed to determine whether there is an increase in Aortic Intima-media thickness values measured from the abdominal aorta in addition to the traditional carotid Intima-media thickness in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and to determine the parameters closely related to Aortic Intima-media thickness. This perspective study included 65 primary hyperparathyroidism patients and 30 healthy-controls. Routine laboratory tests for the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and vascular ultrasound examinations were performed. Common carotid, internal carotid, and abdominal Aortic Intima media thickness were measured. The participants of the study was divided into 3 groups as the control (Group-I), the medical treatment (Group-II) due to primary hyperparathyroidism, and the planned surgery (group-III). Aortic Intima-media thickness, serum urea, creatinine, glucose, uric acid, hs-CRP, parathyroid hormone, calcium and urine calcium levels increased significantly from Group-I to Group-III and T-scores and serum phosphorus in levels decreased significantly. Carotid Intima-media thicknesses were not significantly different between the groups. Serum and urinary calcium levels were independently associated with Aortic Intima-media thickness. Aortic Intima-media thickness, serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, T-scores, serum and urinary calcium levels are independent indicators for Group-III. When the cut-off value of Aortic Intima-media thickness was taken as 1.5 mm, 80.6% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity were determined for patients who would go to surgery. Serum and urine calcium levels were independently associated with Aortic Intima-media thickness. Aortic Intima-media thickness is more useful than carotid Intima-media thickness in showing vascular organ involvement in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Erich Cosmi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • natural history of atherosclerosis and abdominal Aortic Intima media thickness rationale evidence and best practice for detection of atherosclerosis in the young
    Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2019
    Co-Authors: Michael R Skilton, Erich Cosmi, David S Celermajer, Fatima Crispi, Samuel S Gidding, Olli T Raitakari, Elaine M Urbina
    Abstract:

    Atherosclerosis underlies most myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes. The timing of onset and the rate of progression of atherosclerosis differ between individuals and among arterial sites. Physical manifestations of atherosclerosis may begin in early life, particularly in the abdominal aorta. Measurement of the abdominal Aortic Intima-media thickness by external ultrasound is a non-invasive methodology for quantifying the extent and severity of early atherosclerosis in children, adolescents, and young adults. This review provides an evidence-based rationale for the assessment of abdominal Aortic Intima-media thickness—particularly as an age-appropriate methodology for studying the natural history of atherosclerosis in the young in comparison to other methodologies—establishes best practice methods for assessing abdominal Aortic Intima-media thickness, and identifies key gaps in the literature, including those that will identify the clinical relevance of this measure.

  • A novel approach to Aortic Intima-media thickness quantification from fetal ultrasound images
    2015 IEEE 12th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI), 2015
    Co-Authors: Giacomo Tarroni, Silvia Visentin, Erich Cosmi, Enrico Grisan
    Abstract:

    Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) is linked to increased cardiovascular mortality during adulthood. IUGR induces an increase in Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) which can be detected from fetal ultrasound images, potentially improving IUGR assessment and thus cardiovascular risk management. Unfortunately this measurement currently relies on tedious and error-prone manual tracing. The aims of this study were to develop and test a novel near-automated technique for aIMT quantification from ultrasound images. The proposed technique uses a level-set method (with a functional relying on a distance-based term) to identify blood-Intima and media-adventitia interfaces as a basis for aIMT estimation. This approach was tested on images acquired from 10 subjects, and automatically extracted aIMT values were compared to reference values manually obtained by two interpreters. Results indicate that the accuracy of the proposed technique is close to that of manual tracing, suggesting that it could be adopted as a basis for fast and reliable near-automated aIMT estimation.

  • ISBI - A novel approach to Aortic Intima-media thickness quantification from fetal ultrasound images
    2015 IEEE 12th International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI), 2015
    Co-Authors: Giacomo Tarroni, Silvia Visentin, Erich Cosmi, Enrico Grisan
    Abstract:

    Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) is linked to increased cardiovascular mortality during adulthood. IUGR induces an increase in Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) which can be detected from fetal ultrasound images, potentially improving IUGR assessment and thus cardiovascular risk management. Unfortunately this measurement currently relies on tedious and error-prone manual tracing. The aims of this study were to develop and test a novel near-automated technique for aIMT quantification from ultrasound images. The proposed technique uses a level-set method (with a functional relying on a distance-based term) to identify blood-Intima and media-adventitia interfaces as a basis for aIMT estimation. This approach was tested on images acquired from 10 subjects, and automatically extracted aIMT values were compared to reference values manually obtained by two interpreters. Results indicate that the accuracy of the proposed technique is close to that of manual tracing, suggesting that it could be adopted as a basis for fast and reliable near-automated aIMT estimation.

  • CinC - Near-automated quantification of prenatal Aortic Intima-media thickness from ultrasound images
    Computing in Cardiology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Giacomo Tarroni, Silvia Visentin, Erich Cosmi, Enrico Grisan
    Abstract:

    Aortic Intima-media thickness (aIMT) is an early marker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases risk assessment in children and young adults. Recent studies have underlined the potential usefulness of its estimation at the fetal stage from ultrasound (US) images. However, this measurement currently relies on tedious and error-prone manual tracing. The aims of this study were to develop and test a near-automated technique for aIMT quantification from US images. The proposed technique is based on narrow-band level-set methods to identify blood-Intima and media-adventitia interfaces, thus allowing aIMT estimation. The technique was tested on images acquired from 11 subjects at a mean gestational age of 29 weeks. Automatically estimated aIMT values were compared to reference ones manually extracted by an experienced interpreter. Quantitative comparisons were performed using Pearson's correlation coefficients, Bland-Altman and linear regression analyses. The results (R up to 0.92) indicate the high correlation between automatically and manually estimated values, suggesting that near-automated quantification of aIMT from US images using level-set methods is feasible.

  • developmental programming of cardiovascular risk in intrauterine growth restricted twin fetuses according to Aortic Intima thickness
    Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 2013
    Co-Authors: Silvia Visentin, Enrico Grisan, Vincenzo Zanardo, M Bertin, Elisa Veronese, Francesco Cavallin, Guido Ambrosini, Daniele Trevisanto, Erich Cosmi
    Abstract:

    OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the hypothesis that Aortic Intima thickness is greater in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) twin fetuses compared to normally developing twins, thus defining an increased cardiovascular risk that reflects genetic factors in fetuses sharing the same womb. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study performed on twins from January 2009 to July 2011. Twins were classified into 3 groups: IUGR fetuses with an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile and an umbilical artery pulsatility index of greater than 2 SDs (group A), fetuses with an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile and normal Doppler findings (group B), and fetuses with an estimated fetal weight appropriate for gestational age (group C). Aortic Intima thickness was measured at a median gestational age of 32 weeks. Values were compared among groups and between each twin and cotwin, also considering sex and chorionicity. RESULTS: Twenty-five fetuses were classified as group A, 36 as group B, and 95 as group C. The median Aortic Intima thickness values were 0.9 mm in group A, 0.7 mm in group B, and 0.6 mm in group C (P < .0001). There was a statistically significant difference between the Aortic Intima thickness of the twins and cotwins in groups A and B (P < .0001). Sex and chorionicity did not correlate with Aortic Intima thickness. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, IUGR fetuses with Doppler abnormalities had greater Aortic Intima thickness, and IUGR twins with normal Doppler findings had intermediate thickness, supporting a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular risk independent of sex and chorionicity.