Speech Communication

Contains reports on five research projects.C.J. Lebel FellowshipNational Institutes of Health (Grant 5 T32 NS07040)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 R01 NS04332)National Science Foundation (Grant 1ST 80-17599)U.S. Navy - Naval Electronic Systems Command Contract (N00039-85-C-0254)U.S. Navy - Naval Electronic Systems Command Contract (N00039-85-C-0341)U.S. Navy - Naval Electronic Systems Command Contract (N00039-85-C-0290

Speech Communication

Contains table of contents for Part IV, table of contents for Section 1 and reports on five research projects.Apple Computer, Inc.C.J. Lebel FellowshipNational Institutes of Health (Grant T32-NS07040)National Institutes of Health (Grant R01-NS04332)National Institutes of Health (Grant R01-NS21183)National Institutes of Health (Grant P01-NS23734)U.S. Navy / Naval Electronic Systems Command (Contract N00039-85-C-0254)U.S. Navy - Office of Naval Research (Contract N00014-82-K-0727

Speech Communication

Contains reports on five research projects.C.J. Lebel FellowshipNational Institutes of Health (Grant 5 T32 NSO7040)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 R01 NS04332)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 R01 NS21183)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 P01 NS13126)National Institutes of Health (Grant 1 PO1-NS23734)National Science Foundation (Grant BNS 8418733)U.S. Navy - Naval Electronic Systems Command (Contract N00039-85-C-0254)U.S. Navy - Naval Electronic Systems Command (Contract N00039-85-C-0341)U.S. Navy - Naval Electronic Systems Command (Contract N00039-85-C-0290)National Institutes of Health (Grant RO1-NS21183), subcontract with Boston UniversityNational Institutes of Health (Grant 1 PO1-NS23734), subcontract with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmar

Effects of Fluvastatin on the Carotid Arterial Media as Assessed by Integrated Backscatter Ultrasound Compared With Pulse-Wave Velocity

ObjectivesOur goal is to show the effectiveness of fluvastatin in reducing arterial sclerosis using integrated backscatter (IB) values rather than depending on the pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and stiffness beta.BackgroundAtherosclerotic changes consist of two components: atherosis as a structural change and sclerosis as a functional change; IB ultrasound of carotid media was useful for assessment of arterial sclerosis.MethodsWe measured IB values in the media of 40 segments of carotid arteries in 40 patients with hyperlipidemia before and after statin therapy or diet for 12 months (fluvastatin [F group] 40 mg/day, n = 20; control [C group]: diet, n = 20). Pulse-wave velocity, intima-media thickness, and stiffness beta were measured at the same time.ResultsAt baseline, IB values correlated with PWV (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) and stiffness beta (r = 0.47, p = 0.002) in 40 patients with hyperlipidemia. Integrated backscatter values did not change in the C group but decreased in the F group (from 12.3 ± 2.1 dB to 11.3 ± 2.1 dB, p = 0.002). Also, PWV increased in the C group (from 1,728 ± 687 cm/s to 1,771 ± 716 cm/s, p = 0.021) but decreased in the F group (from 1,848 ± 582 cm/s to 1,768 ± 549 cm/s, p = 0.012). Stiffness beta decreased in the F group (from 14.0 ± 3.9 to 12.1 ± 3.5, p = 0.002).ConclusionsStatin therapy with fluvastatin improved arterial sclerosis as assessed by IB values