QIMT Noninvasively Measures IMT

Biosound Esaote will feature the QIMT module for the MyLab platforms at ACC 2008.

Biosound Esaote�s QIMT (quality intima-media thickness) provides a consistent and noninvasive automated carotid IMT measurement, in adjunct to other measures, that allows the user to address atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases at their earliest stages. Since many patients in the early and intermediate stages of atherosclerosis show no apparent signs of risk or symptoms, QIMT can be used for screening purposes for preventive healthcare. It also can be used to follow patients with known cardiovascular disease and other risk factors.

The QIMT tool measures all the parameters needed for a complete evaluation of the vascular health of the patient, according to the company. QIMT uses Radio Frequency (RF) data, a raw ultrasound signal acquired by the ultrasound scanner. Everything is done in real time with immediate feedback of the quality and accuracy of the automatic measurement. The accuracy is high due to the RF-based signal processing and follows the Mannheim IMT protocol. It also provides reports with an �Expected QIMT� values table with respect to the patient age and vascular trending.

Intima-media thickness (IMT) is a measurement of the thickness of the artery walls. The measurement of intima-media thickness is useful in helping to understand arteriosclerosis, its severity and progression. Cross-sectional associations have been reported between IMT and cardiovascular risk factors, prevalent in cardiovascular disease and peripheral atherosclerosis. Prospective studies have shown that an increased carotid IMT may be associated with the increase of the possibility of myocardial infarction. Therefore, IMT is considered an important atherosclerosis surrogate in clinical practice and in many clinical studies.

Feb 2008