IMT In Clinical Practice

Measurement of the carotid Intimal Medial thickness (IMT) has been in use in research and clinical practice since the 1990s. In 2000, the American Heart Association recommended adding IMT testing to the standard battery of tests for anyone over the age of 45, and in patients between 18 and 45 with other risk factors.

In fact, in June of 2002, the President of the American Society of Echocardiography had this to say about carotid IMT testing:

"This test has been a mainstay of epidemiologic investigations of coronary and cerebrovascular disease for decades. Excellent data documents the validity of using carotid findings to predict the state of the coronary circulation. Carotid IMT detects both patients with current disease as well as accurately predicting future cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Carotid intima-medial thickness measurements have been proven to provide incremental data to traditional risk prediction based on clinical data. It is the only imaging test recommended by the American Heart Association for this purpose.(ASE Presidents message, journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, June 2002)."

• The test is non-invasive and can be performed in a physicians office.
• The exam is non-invasive and painless for the patient. After a brief explanation of the anatomy, the ultrasound system and the procedure, patients are generally at ease with the IMT exam.
• Analysis of the images using the software is easy and a patient profile report can be generated in 10-15 minutes.
• The IMT product allows the clinician to obtain accurate, results quickly.This information,along with a snapshot image of the artery is presented in a simple report form for review with a patient.
• Blood pressure, lipid panels and CRP testing look at only one component of atherosclerosis. They give you insight into the function of the cardiovascular system,but not its structure. Adding IMT measurement provides a second dimension to your abilility to assess the cardiovascular risk in your patients. IMT testing looks at the actual vascular structure and shows the presence of plaques and endothelial inflammation. This structural information,when combined with the "traditional risk factors" like lipid panels,blood pressure and family medical history,provides the clinician with the complete picture you need to evaluate cardiovascular risk and make treatment decisions.Once a patients risk has been evaluated and a treatment plan has been put in place, periodic IMT measurements can give useful insight into how the patient is responding.