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Comparative Study
. 2001 Aug;91(2):929-37.
doi: 10.1152/jappl.2001.91.2.929.

Improved analysis of brachial artery ultrasound using a novel edge-detection software system

R J Woodman  1 , D A Playford, G F Watts, C Cheetham, C Reed, R R Taylor, I B Puddey, L J Beilin, V Burke, T A Mori, D Green
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Free article
Comparative Study

Improved analysis of brachial artery ultrasound using a novel edge-detection software system

R J Woodman et al. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2001 Aug.
Free article

Abstract

Brachial artery ultrasound is commonly employed for noninvasive assessment of endothelial function. However, analysis is observer dependent and susceptible to errors. We describe studies on a computerized edge-detection and wall-tracking software program to allow more accurate and reproducible measurement. In study 1, three purpose-built Perspex phantom arteries, 3.00, 4.00, and 6.00 mm in diameter, were measured with the software. There was a mean bias of 11 microm (P < 0.001 at each level) between known and measured values; the mean resolving power of the software was estimated as 8.3 microm. In study 2, the mean intraobserver coefficient of variation of repeated measures of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using the software (6.7%) was significantly lower than that for traditional manual measurements using the intima-lumen interfaces (24.8%, P < 0.05) and intima-media interfaces (32.5%, P < 0.05). In study 3, 24 healthy volunteers underwent repeat testing twice within 1 wk; the coefficients of variation for between-visit reproducibility of FMD and response to glyceryl trinitrate using the software were 14.7 and 17.6%, respectively. Assuming 80% power and an alpha of 0.05, eight subjects with matched controls would be required, in a parallel designed study, to detect an absolute 2.5% change in FMD. In summary, we have developed a semiautomated computerized vascular ultrasound analysis system that will improve the power of clinical intervention studies to detect small changes in arterial diameter.

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