Ultrasonic measurement of the longitudinal motion of the arterial wall – a novel parameter for improved analysis of the motion at late systole

Increasing interest and research is directed towards longitudinal arterial wall motion (LMov) identified by ultrasonography, most often of the common carotid artery (CCA). LMov comprises of both antegrade and retrograde motion phases that create motion patterns specific to an individual. Preliminary data from several independent groups strongly suggest correlation between LMov parameters and cardiovascular health status. One LMov phase of special interest is the main retrograde phase (B) in systole which encompasses a smaller antegrade motion (X) in late systole. This phase has been challenging to quantify given the small magnitude of X. Here we propose a novel parameter ratio for improved analysis of X and thus of the longitudinal motion in late systole.