Ultrasound Software Tool Measures Carotid Intima-Media Thickness

For physicians, the ability to streamline exams for determining a patient's risk for cardiovascular disease is important in determining the patient's clinical workup. To enhance diagnostic effectiveness, an ultrasound software tool has been developed that can measure the thickness of the intima-media layers of the carotid artery, for assessing an asymptomatic patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Toshiba Medical Systems, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) has introduced Auto-IMT (intima-media thickness) and has recently received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for Auto-IMT, and it is now available on the Aplio XG, Aplio MX, and Xario XG ultrasound systems.

Toshiba's Auto-IMT can determine the thickness of the near and far arterial walls from three segments of the carotid artery: at an optimal angle of incidence and two complementary planes. Auto-IMT traces the two complementary planes automatically and calculates the distance between them. The Auto-IMT uses the collected images following the American Society of Echocardiography's (ASE) consensus statement for the diagnosis.

Toshiba worked with Midwest Ultrasound, a division of The Christ Hospital (Cincinnati, OH, USA), to develop the software tool. Midwest Ultrasound provides cardiac and vascular ultrasound services, and maintains a diverse client mix, from small rural and community hospitals to major urban academic centers and large physician practices in southwest Ohio. Midwest Ultrasound will be using Auto IMT on all 25 of its Toshiba Xario XG systems.

"Auto-IMT has helped us reduce the time it takes to evaluate carotid artery wall thickness from 45 minutes to less than 10 minutes, allowing us to evaluate more patients in less time," said David Parlato, director, clinical operations, Midwest Ultrasound. "In addition, the ability to image and measure the artery in real time eliminates the need for interim centralized PACS [picture archiving and communication system] storage and off-line workstation review, which enables us to provide IMT-based risk screening much more efficiently for our patients."

Measuring IMT at a faster pace helps identify high-risk patients before a cardiac episode occurs, which we believe leads to better patient outcomes," said Tomo Hasegawa, director, ultrasound business unit, Toshiba. "Toshiba is committed to improving patient care and providing ways to streamline processes so patients receive the highest quality care more efficiently."

Related Links:
Toshiba Medical Systems
Midwest Ultrasound