Atherosclerosis can remain below the clinical horizon for a long time. Acute vascular disease, however, can manifest clinically at almost any stage. Brightness ultrasonographic imaging of the carotid arterial walls can depict all stages of atherosclerotic arterial wall changes as a continuous variable. Here de Grootet al. describe the role of carotid IMT measurements as a tool in risk evaluation of individuals and explore how this technique could advance atherosclerosis research.
- Eric de Groot
- Sander I van Leuven
- John JP Kastelein
