Abstract：Objective: To study the changes and clinical significance of carotid artery wave intensity(WI) in patients with chronic renal insufficiency(CRI), and to assess the value of which to the early diagnosis of the changes in cardiovascular function. Materials and Methods: WI examination were carried out in 32 cases of chronic renal insufficiency and also in 36 cases of age matching volunteers without cardiovascular diseases. WI results were compared between the two groups, statistical analysis performed with SPSS 17.0. Results: The results of WI were positively related to age and blood pressure in chronic renal insufficiency group. The correlation coefficient was statistically significant(P<0.05). The thickness of tunica media and intima at the carotid sinus and 2 cm below the sinus in chronic renal insufficiency group were thicker than those of the normal volunteer group, there was significant difference between the two groups(P<0.01). The instantaneous accelerate speed wave intensity(W1), instantaneous reducing speed wave intensity(W2), negative wave area(NA), hardening parameter beta(β), strain elastic modulus(Ep), and pulse wave transmission velocity(PWVβ) were significantly higher than those of the normal group, there was statistical significance. Conclusions: WI is a non-invasive method of testing cardiovascular function changes in kidney failure before the appearances of organic changes of the vascular wall. It is worthy of application in clinical.
2012, Vol. 23 
