Evaluation of Plaque Stabilization by Fluvastatin with Carotid Intima- Medial Elasticity Measured by a Transcutaneous Ultrasonic-Based Tissue Characterization System

AIM: As an approach to tissue characterization, we attempted to classify in vivo carotid plaque tissues in terms of arterial wall elasticity instead of echogenicity on B-mode scanning and investigated whether the effect of fluvastatin on carotid elasticity can be detected in hypercholesterolemic patients. METHODS: In 170 subjects, simultaneous measurements of intima-media thickness (IMT) and elastic modulus in the circumferential direction (E(theta)) were performed using a new transcutaneous high-resolution Doppler technique. RESULTS: From the observation of various tissues, an elasticity library was obtained as follows: lipid core, 22+/-15 kPa; calcification, 674+/-384 kPa; lipid core- and calcification-free plaques, 173+/-69 kPa; smooth muscle, 104+/-32 kPa; blood clot, 85+/-68 kPa; fibrosis, 273+/-173 kPa.The effect of fluvastatin (30 mg/day, n=62) was assessed over 12 months using the elasticity distribution and serum markers. The statin reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity CRP, mean IMT and mean E(theta), and increased nitrite/nitrate. In the max IMT > or =1.1 mm group, both E(theta) and IMT decreased significantly. On the other hand, in the max IMT <1.1 mm group, E(theta) but not IMT decreased significantly. The histogram of the subgroups showing increased E(theta) with max IMT> or =1.1 mm revealed a decrease in areas corresponding to E(theta) of 20200 kPa (lipid/smooth muscle-rich tissue) and an increase in relatively hardened areas of <250 kPa (collagen fibers). CONCLUSION: Non-invasive echographic carotid arterial elasticity measurement is useful for the classification of atherosclerotic plaques and evaluation of chronological and histopathological changes.