Application value of UFPWV in quantitative evaluating the early changes of carotid artery structure and function in patients with Graves disease

ObjectiveTo explore the application value of ultrafast pulse wave velocity(UFPWV) in quantitative evaluating the early changes of carotid artery structure and function in patients with Graves disease(GD).

MethodsSeventy-six GD patients without intima-media thickness(IMT) of carotid artery thickening and 76 healthy people were divided into the GD group and control group, respectively.The carotid IMT in two groups was measured.The pulse wave conduction velocity was recorded using the UFPWV technology, and which included the pulse wave conduction velocity at the beginning and end of systole(BS and ES).The related parameters were compared, and the correlation of BS and ES with IMT, thyroid volume and serum thyroid hormone level were analyzed.

ResultsThere was no statistical significance in IMT between GD group and control group(P>0.05), and the BS and ES in GD group were significantly higher than those in control group(P < 0.01).The BS and ES of vascular elasticity parameters were not correlated with the thyroid volume(P>0.05), but were positively correlated with IMT(P < 0.01).The ES was positively correlated with the level of free triiodothyronine.

ConclusionsThe early changes of carotid artery elasticity in patients with GD before IMT thickening can be detected by UFPWV, which can be used as a new effective method to evaluate the artery elasticity in patients with GD.