Key result
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound links PAD to ~51% longer resting time to peak perfusion.
Why the study?
Does contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging (CUPI) detect differences in calf muscle perfusion between patients with peripheral arterial disease and control subjects?
Case-Control (n=32)
Does contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging (CUPI) detect differences in calf muscle perfusion between patients with peripheral arterial disease and control subjects?
Absolute Event Rate: 56% vs 37%
p-value: p=0.002
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging is a novel non-invasive method that can detect regional blood circulation differences in the calf muscle between PAD patients and healthy controls.
AIMS: The purpose of this study was to establish contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging (CUPI) of the lower extremities as a novel non-invasive diagnostic tool for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Ultrasound contrast agent (SonoVue) was injected into a peripheral vein of 16 control subjects and 16 PAD patients and its appearance in the calf muscle was detected by low-energy harmonic ultrasound. Analysis of the wash-in curves revealed that PAD patients had a significantly longer time to peak intensity (TTP), i.e. duration of maximum contrast perfusion [37 s (19-79 s) in control subjects vs. 56 s (32-104 s) in PAD patients at rest, age-adjusted P=0.002]. Exercise stress test of the calf muscle resulted in a decrease of the TTP, maintaining the significant difference in TTP between the groups [19 s (8-37 s) in control subjects vs. 32 s (18-48 s) in PAD patients after exercise, age-adjusted P=0.004]. Neither ankle-brachial index and TTP nor age and TTP showed a significant correlation. CONCLUSION: CUPI reflects the regional blood circulation of the calf muscle. In this pilot study, PAD patients show a significantly longer TTP than control subjects. The clinical relevance of CUPI is topic of ongoing studies.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Duerschmied et al. (2005) conducted a case-control in Peripheral arterial disease (n=32). Peripheral arterial disease vs. Control subjects was evaluated on Time to peak intensity (TTP) at rest (p=0.002). Peripheral arterial disease patients evaluated with contrast-enhanced ultrasound perfusion imaging had a significantly longer time to peak intensity at rest than controls (56 s vs 37 s; P=0.002).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: