Measurement of the vascular mass of the human radial artery by ultrasonics

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reproducibility of radial artery mass (RAM), in hypertensive patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: In 49 patients, RAM was measured using a high resolution echotracking device (Nius-02) which allows noninvasive measurement of diameter and wall thickness of the radial artery. RAM was validated in vitro by comparing weight of arterial segments to ultrasonographic measurement and determined as RAM = r (pi Re2-pi Ri2) where r is the arterial wall density (1.06 g/cm3), and Re and Ri are values of internal and external radii, respectively. Repeatability coefficient (RC2 = SDi2/n) was 1.3 mg. RESULTS: Blood pressure was (mean +/- SD) 146 +/- 19/85 +/- 15 mmHg, radial arterial diameter was 2,449 +/- 376 microns, radial wall thickness was 302 +/- 68 microns, RAM was 28 +/- 9 mg (range 13-43 mg). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that radial artery mass can be measured using a high resolution echotracking device.