A harmonic tracking method for improved visualization of arterial structures with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.

Autor: Doherty, Joshua R., Dahl, Jeremy J., Allen, Jason D., Ham, Katherine L., Trahey, Gregg E.
Zdroj: 2013 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS); 2013, p1769-1772, 4p
Abstrakt: Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging has shown improved visualization of arterial structures that may provide for a more reliable assessment of atherosclerotic risk than conventional B-mode imaging. Existing ARFI imaging methods, however, are limited due to the presence of clutter that can increase bias and jitter in estimates of tissue deformation. We have recently developed a novel pulse inversion harmonic tracking method to suppress clutter degradation in ultrasonic tissue displacement estimates. In this work, harmonic B-mode and harmonic ARFI images of in vivo carotid arteries are compared with fundamental images obtained using conventional techniques. A certified reader measured the intima-media-thickness (IMT) in B-mode images and the adventitia-intima-media-thickness (AIMT) in ARFI images. The yield and the length of the artery amenable for analysis were larger in ARFI images compared to B-mode images. Intra-reader measurements of ARFI AIMT in the distal wall were more reproducible than B-mode IMT measurements. Qualitatively, harmonic ARFI images showed improved delineation of the vessel-lumen interface compared to fundamental ARFI images. These results suggest that harmonic ARFI imaging may provide a reliable method for monitoring arterial thickening to predict the occurrence of clinical events. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
Databáze: Complementary Index