Protocol for Robust In Vivo Measurements of Erythrocyte Aggregation Using Ultrasound Spectroscopy.
Abstract: Erythrocyte aggregation is a non-specific marker of acute and chronic inflammation. Although it is usual to evaluate this phenomenon from blood samples analyzed in laboratory instruments, in vivo real-time assessment of aggregation is possible with spectral ultrasound techniques. However, variable blood flow can affect the interpretation of acoustic measures. Therefore, flow standardization is required. Two techniques of flow standardization were evaluated with porcine and equine blood samples in Couette flow. These techniques consisted in either stopping the flow or reducing it. Then, the sensibility and repeatability of the retained method were evaluated in 11 human volunteers. We observed that stopping the flow compromised interpretation and repeatability. Conversely, maintaining a low flow provided repeatable measures and could distinguish between normal and high extents of erythrocyte aggregation. Agreement was observed between in vivo and ex vivo measures of the phenomenon (R = 82.7%, p value < 0.0001). These results support the feasibility of assessing in vivo erythrocyte aggregation in humans by quantitative ultrasound means.
Copyright © 2017 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-09-22 PubMed ID: 28893425DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.08.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research paper discusses a protocol for robust in vivo measurements of erythrocyte (red blood cell) aggregation using ultrasound spectroscopy which could be a marker for inflammation.
Explanation of the Research
- The study is centered around the phenomenon of erythrocyte aggregation, which is the clumping together of red blood cells. It is observed to be a generic marker of acute and chronic inflammation in the body.
- Traditionally, erythrocyte aggregation is assessed using blood samples in lab equipment. However, this study explores real-time in vivo (inside the body) analysis of erythrocyte aggregation using spectral ultrasound techniques.
- A significant challenge in using ultrasound for this purpose is the variable blood flow in the body, which can influence the interpretation of acoustic measures. This makes it difficult to accurately determine the rate or degree of erythrocyte aggregation.
Flow Standardization Techniques
- To overcome this challenge, the researchers evaluated two flow standardization techniques using porcine (pig) and equine (horse) blood samples in a Couette flow, a type of flow between two parallel walls in which one wall is moving relative to the other.
- The two standardization methods involved either stopping the blood flow entirely or reducing it to a lower consistent rate. This is to enable more precise measurements of erythrocyte aggregation free from the interference of variable flow rates.
Results and Findings
- The researchers found that stopping the blood flow entirely compromised the interpretation and repeatability of the ultrasound measurements.
- On the other hand, maintaining a low but consistent flow rate produced repeatable and consistent measurements.
- This standardization method could effectively distinguish between normal and increased levels of erythrocyte aggregation, thereby making it a potentially effective diagnostic tool for inflammation.
- The study confirmed the agreement between in vivo and ex vivo (outside the body) measurements of erythrocyte aggregation, which demonstrates the reliability of in vivo ultrasound measurement techniques.
- The study concluded that it is feasible to assess erythrocyte aggregation in the human body using quantitative ultrasound techniques. This could represent a significant advancement in the medical field as it allows for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of inflammation in the body.
Cite This Article
APA
Garcia-Duitama J, Chayer B, Garcia D, Goussard Y, Cloutier G.
(2017).
Protocol for Robust In Vivo Measurements of Erythrocyte Aggregation Using Ultrasound Spectroscopy.
Ultrasound Med Biol, 43(12), 2871-2881.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.08.005 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, Q, Canada.
- Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, Q, Canada.
- Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, Q, Canada; Research Unit of Biomechanics and Imaging in Cardiology, CRCHUM, Montreal, Q, Canada; Department of Radiology, Radio-oncology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Q, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montreal, Q, Canada.
- Department of Electrical Engineering, École Polytechnique of Montreal, Montreal, Q, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, École Polytechnique of Montreal, Montreal, Q, Canada.
- Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montreal, Q, Canada; Department of Radiology, Radio-oncology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Q, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montreal, Q, Canada. Electronic address: guy.cloutier@umontreal.ca.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Animals
- Erythrocyte Aggregation / physiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Models, Animal
- Spectrum Analysis
- Swine
- Ultrasonography / methods
- Young Adult
Grant Funding
- CIHR
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Omura M, Yagi K, Nagaoka R, Yoshida K, Yamaguchi T, Hasegawa H. Effect of Clutter Filter in High-Frame-Rate Ultrasonic Backscatter Coefficient Analysis.. Sensors (Basel) 2023 Feb 27;23(5).
- Omura M, Yagi K, Nagaoka R, Hasegawa H. Contrast analysis in ultrafast ultrasound blood flow imaging of jugular vein.. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2023 Apr;50(2):131-141.
- Chayer B, Allard L, Qin Z, Garcia-Duitama J, Roger L, Destrempes F, Cailhier JF, Denault A, Cloutier G. Pilot clinical study of quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy measurements of erythrocyte aggregation within superficial veins.. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2020;74(2):109-126.
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