Original contribution
Automated detection of local artery wall thickness based on M-line signal processing

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-5629(97)00119-1Get rights and content

Abstract

The Young's modulus of an arterial segment, a measure of the elastic properties of the arterial wall, requires the simultaneous and local assessment of pulse pressure, wall thickness, diameter, and distensibility (relative increase in cross-sectional area per change in blood pressure). The diameter and relative increase in cross-sectional area can be obtained with a wall track system, processing the radiofrequency (r.f.) ultrasound signals received along a single line of observation (M-line processing). It will be demonstrated that it is feasible to combine, in a single measurement, the assessment of wall thickness and the (relative change in) diameter involving a minimum of user interaction. Phantom tests show a standard error of the estimate for intima-media thickness measurements of less than 20 μm; in vivo registrations exhibit a variation on the order of 45 μm. It is concluded that processing of the radiofrequency ultrasound signal, acquired along an M-line, provides an accurate and time-efficient alternative for videoprocessing of 2-dimensional B-mode ultrasound images to estimate artery wall thickness.

References (15)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (157)

  • Time-warping for robust automated arterial wall-recognition and tracking from single-scan-line ultrasound signals

    2022, Ultrasonics
    Citation Excerpt :

    The work on M−line radiofrequency (RF) signal processing techniques in this regard was pioneered by Hoeks et al. [1,21]. In the later decade, attempts were made to automate the entire framework constituting the tasks of recognition and tracking [21–24]. Rossi et al. have introduced a technique to directly extract M−lines from the B-mode images and perform real-time vessel wall recognition [23].

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text