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| Early evaluation of carotid elasticity function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by wave intensity technique |
| LIU Chun-li1, ZHANG Lian-zhong2, LU Yu2, DUAN Shao-bo2 |
| 1. Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450002, China;2. Department of Ultrasound, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, China |
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Abstract Objective: To observe the clinical value of early diagnosis of atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) using wave intensity technique and to evaluate changes of elasticity of carotid artery in pre-menopausal SLE patients． Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with SLE were divided into two groups according to different clinical courses: SLE group 1(duration<5 years), and SLE group 2(duration≥5 years). A Wave intensity method was used to measure and analyze instantaneous acceleration Wave intensity(W1), instantaneous deceleration Wave intensity(W2), negative area(NA), stiffness constant(β), one-point pulse wave velocity(PWVβ and PWV-WI), pressure strain elastic modulus(Ep), arterial compliance(AC), augmentation index(AI) and intimamedia thickness(IMT) of the right carotid arteries in 60 patients with SLE and in 30 normal control individuals． Results: Compared with the normal group, W2, β, Ep, PWV-WI, PWVβ of SLE group 1 and SLE group 2 were higher than those of the control group, but AC was lower than that of the control, with a statistically significant difference(P≤0．01)． W1, AI, NA values were different in the three groups, but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0．01). W2, PWV-WI, β, Ep, PWVβ significantly increased in SLE group 2 comparing with SLE group 1, but AC decreased, with a statistically significant difference(P≤0．01)． Conclusion: WI technique can detect the early changes of carotid elasticity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. It may be useful for prevention and treatment of the complicated cardiovascular disease．
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Received: 08 November 2011
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Corresponding Authors:
ZHANG Lian-zhong
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2012, Vol. 23 
