We have demonstrated the feasibility of a new imaging method, called Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging in defining the mechanical properties of vascular tissue using ultrasonic radiation force. Results from the previous period of funding indicate that the method is capable of reliably distinguishing stiffness in cryogel models of human vascular tissues, including models of atherosclerotic plaques. In addition, we have demonstrated the ability of this technique to image the mechanical composition of in vivo carotid plaques in studies of the carotid artery in human volunteers and in excised animal and human arteries. We propose to further develop this technique for imaging moderate to highly stenotic plaques in the carotid artery, including the development of a 3-D imaging system to completely characterize the plaque and normal vasculature. We propose in vivo studies to develop and evaluate this technique in moderate to highly stenotic patients who are scheduled for endarterectomy and to correlate the resulting images with the histology of the excised samples. In addition, we propose an in vivo clinical study to assess the ability of combined 3-D ARFI/Doppler/B-mode images to predict the progression of the plaque and the necessity of surgical treatment for asymptomatic patients based on the morphology and mechanical composition of the carotid plaque.

Public Health Relevance

We have developed a new imaging method that displays the stiffness of blood vessels and of the plaques that can clog vessels. We propose to improve this method and to install it on a clinical ultrasonic scanner. We will then test whether it can, by classifying plaques in the carotid artery as either soft or hard, predict which patients will have strokes over a two year period.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL075485-07
Application #
8038458
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SBIB-P (02))
Program Officer
Buxton, Denis B
Project Start
2003-12-15
Project End
2013-02-28
Budget Start
2011-03-01
Budget End
2012-02-29
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$447,470
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Vejdani-Jahromi, Maryam; Nagle, Matt; Trahey, Gregg E et al. (2015) Ultrasound shear wave elasticity imaging quantifies coronary perfusion pressure effect on cardiac compliance. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 34:465-73
Doherty, Joshua R; Dahl, Jeremy J; Kranz, Peter G et al. (2015) Comparison of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging Derived Carotid Plaque Stiffness With Spatially Registered MRI Determined Composition. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 34:2354-65
Vejdani-Jahromi, Maryam; Kiplagat, Annette; Trahey, Gregg E et al. (2014) The effect of acute coronary perfusion change on cardiac function measured by Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2014:5072-5
Doherty, Joshua R; Trahey, Gregg E; Nightingale, Kathryn R et al. (2013) Acoustic radiation force elasticity imaging in diagnostic ultrasound. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 60:685-701
Doherty, Joshua R; Dahl, Jeremy J; Trahey, Gregg E (2013) Harmonic tracking of acoustic radiation force-induced displacements. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 60:2347-58
Doherty, Joshua R; Dumont, Douglas M; Trahey, Gregg E et al. (2013) Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of vulnerable plaques: a finite element method parametric analysis. J Biomech 46:83-90
Hsu, Stephen J; Byram, Brett C; Bouchard, Richard R et al. (2012) Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of mechanical stiffness propagation in myocardial tissue. Ultrason Imaging 34:142-58
Allen, Jason D; Ham, Katherine L; Dumont, Douglas M et al. (2011) The development and potential of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging for carotid artery plaque characterization. Vasc Med 16:302-11
Pinton, Gianmarco F; Trahey, Gregg E; Dahl, Jeremy J (2011) Sources of image degradation in fundamental and harmonic ultrasound imaging using nonlinear, full-wave simulations. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 58:754-65
Lediju, Muyinatu A; Trahey, Gregg E; Byram, Brett C et al. (2011) Short-lag spatial coherence of backscattered echoes: imaging characteristics. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 58:1377-88

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