• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2005

Individual clinical significance of each layer of CCA (common carotid artery) has not been well studied. We intended to measure the intima thickness (IT), media thickness (MT), and intima-media thickness (IMT) of CCA separately and tried to analyze the clinical significance. One hundred fifty one consecutive patients (mean age: $57{\pm}15$ years; 77 males, 74 females) underwent CCA scanning using high-resolution ultrasound. The images were off-line analyzed using B-mode ultrasound image processing, devised for individual measurement of IT and MT as well as IMT. The mean coefficients of variation of new method measuring IT, MT, and IMT separately were 0.16% for IMT and 0.21% for both IT and MT. The IT (p < 0.01), MT (p < 0.01) as well as IMT (p < 0.001) of patients with atherosclerotic disease were significantly thicker than that of the patients without atherosclerotic disease. Patients with hypertension showed significantly thicker IT (p < 0.01), MT (p < 0.001), and IMT (p < 0.001) than that of the patients without hypertension. However, only IT was thicker in patients with smoking (p<0.01) than that of the patients without smoking.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2017

In this paper, we propose a method of detecting the region for measuring intima-media thickness (IMT). The existing methods for IMT measurement are automatic, but the region used for measuring IMT is not detected automatically but often set by the user. Therefore, research on detecting the intima-media region is needed for fully automated IMT measurement. The proposed method uses a morphological feature of the carotid artery visible as two long high-brightness horizontal lines at the upper and lower parts. It uses Gaussian blurring, ends-in search stretching, color quantization using a color-importance-based self-organizing map, and morphological operations to emphasize and to detect the morphological feature. The experimental results for evaluating the performance of the proposed method showed a 97.25% (106/109) success rate. Therefore, the proposed method can be used to develop a fully automated IMT measurement system.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2014

■ Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of The Korean Standard Pattern Identification for Stroke and Intima-Media Thickness of common carotid artery(CCA-IMT). ■ Methods 100 subjects with acute ischemic stroke were recruited from the patients admitted to DongEui Medical Center from the June 2011 to January 2014. We assessed 100 patient's Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness data by B Mode ultrasonography. We investigated pattern identification of all subjects based on Korean Standard Pattern Identification for Stroke-III. then, We analyzed their characteristics, risk factor, blood test result, life style. ■ Results We analyzed indicators of Korean Standard Pattern Identification for Stroke-III by Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness difference. As a result, pale complexion, look powerless, drowsiness like to lie, heat vexation and aversion to heat were significantly higher in the CCAIMT ≧ 1.0mm group then in the CCA-IMT < 1.0mm group. ■ Conclusion According to the analysis, the Relationship between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and The Korean Standard Pattern Identification for Stroke in Ischemic Stroke Patients were founded. To acquire more concrete conclusion on this theme, we need more research.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.148-159
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• 2007

1. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of Metabolic syndrome(MetS) and Intima-media thickness(IMT) of common carotid artery with Sasang constitution. 2. Methods 197 subjects who had taken health examinations and diagnosis of Sasang constitution from Jan 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2006 at East-west health examination center of Kyung-Hee medical center were included and underwent B-mode ultrasonography for measurement of intima-media thickness of common carotid arteries. MetS was defined by the criteria of the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. 3. Results and Conclusions Mean intima-media thickness of common carotid artery was significantly higher in subjects with MetS compared with control subjects($0.070{\pm}0.017$ vs $0.063{\pm}0.014cm$) and a significant trend towards increased IMT was observed with increasing numbers of metabolic syndrome components(r=0.331, p=0.000). After adjustment for age and sex, IMT of common carotid arteries was significantly different among three constitutional groups (Soyangin:$0.065{\pm}0.015cm$, Taeumin:$0.068{\pm}0.016cm$, Soeumin:$0.056{\pm}0.010cm$), however, after adjustment for age, sex and existence of metabolic syndrome, there was no significant different. But, factor of Taeumin was the effective determinant of the increase of mean IMT of common carotid arteries.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.25-30
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• 2006

We intended to measure the IT, MT, and the IMT of carotid artery separately and tried to analyze the clinical significance. Two hundred and fifty consecutive patients (125 males, 125 females) underwent carotid artery scanning using high-resolution ultrasound. The images were off-line analyzed using B-mode ultrasound image processing, devised in our research. We measured the IT, MT, and IMT semi-automatically at the far wall of designated 1cm length of the right common carotid and calculated the average values over the 200 points. The IT (p < 0.05), MT (p < 0.05) as well as IMT (p < 0.01) of patients with atherosclerotic disease were significantly thicker than that of the patients without atherosclerotic disease. Patients with hypertension showed significantly thicker IT (p < 0.05), MT (p < 0.01), and IMT (p < 0.01) than that of the patients without hypertension. However, only IT was thicker in patients with smoking (p < 0.05) than that of the patients without smoking. Smoking was associated only with intima while hypertension was associated with the all three layer's thickness. This result suggests the atherosclerotic process can be different by cardiovascular risk factors.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of Intima-Media Thickness of common carotid artery(CCA-IMT) and The Second Derivative of Photoplethysmogram Waveforms(SDPTG). 38 subjects with acute ischemic stroke were recruited from the patients admitted to Dong-Eui Medical Center from the June 2013 to January 2014. We assessed 38 patient's SDPTG data and CCA-IMT data by B Mode ultrasonography. then 38 subjects were divided into two groups by the CCA-IMT difference; CCA-IMT 〈 0.8 mm group(n=11), CCA-IMT $$\geq_-$$ 0.8 mm group(n=27). We analyzed their characteristics, risk factor, blood test result, life style by CCA-IMT difference. As a result, Age, Hypertension were significantly higher in the CCA-IMT $$\geq_-$$ 0.8 mm group then in the CCA-IMT < 0.8 mm group. Regular exercise were significantly higher in the CCA-IMT < 0.8 mm group then in the CCA-IMT $$\geq_-$$ 0.8 mm group. The result of Multiple regression analysis on the factors affecting the CCA-IMT was hypertension, total cholesterol, age. and The result of Pearson's Correlation analysis on CCA-IMT and SDPTG is that e/a ratio, SDPTG AI were respectively and significantly correlated with CCA-IMT. According to the analysis, the Relationship between CCA-IMT and SDPTG in Ischemic Stroke Patients were founded. We suggest that further investigation with larger and better controlled trials of the Relationship between CCA-IMT and SDPTG could contribute to better understand the effects of risk factors on atherosclerosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.207-208
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• 2009

B-모드 초음파를 이용한 경동맥 내중막 두께(IMT intima-media thickness) 측정은 관상동맥 질환이나 허혈성 뇌질환 위험도의 독립적인 인자로 매우 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 NTSC(national television system committee) 방식으로 경동씩 초음파 동영상신호를 획득하여 프레임으로 나누어 각각의 IMT를 측정하였다. 각각의 측정값을 시간축으로 재구성하여 시간도메인에서 IMT 의 시변동성을 분석하였다. IMT 시변동성 분석을 통하여 상대적으로 부정맥피험자가 정상피험자에 비해 IMT 평균값이 작아 위험도가 낮다고 평가 될 수 있지만 시변동성 분석으로 IMT 평균값이 작아도 혈관의 기능적 특징이 부족하여 위험도가 높다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 경동맥의 형태적 특징과 기능적 특징을 반영하는 이 분석방법은 경동맥 내중막 두께측정의 신뢰성을 향상시키며 관련질환의 위험도와 중증도를 세분화 할 수 있는 새로운 방법이 될 수 있을 것이다.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.218-229
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• 2011

1. Objectives: This study is to investigate the relationship between Intima Media Thickness(IMT) of common carotid artery and Sasang Constitution. 2. Methods: 839 persons, over 40 years old, participated in community-based cohort of Korea Genome and Epiedemiology Study (KOGES) in Wonju City and Pyeongchang City of South Korea from June 2006 to February 2008. The diagnosis of Common carotid Intima Media Thickness was evaluated by B Mode ultrasonography, cardiovascular risk factors were checked using questionnaire and blood samples. Constitution was verified by a Sasang constitution specialist according to the results of PSSC(Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), facial photos and a simplified Sasang constitutional questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed with SPSS. 3. Results: There were significantly high values in waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, HOMA-IR and hsCRP in Taeeumin and low in HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in Taeeumin. There were significantly high value in Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Taeeumin. Age was the significant cardiovascular risk factor irrespective of Sasang constitution in all participants. There was a positive correlation between smoking and Soyangin in all participants and men. There were positive correlations between LDL-cholesterol, BMI and Taeeumin in all participants and men. There were positive correlations between hsCRP and Soeumin in all participants and men. There was significantly high odds ratio of Taeeumin over Soeumin in common carotid Intima Media Thickness. 4. Conclusions: Regimens on cardiovascular diseases should be considered according to Sasang constitution. There are more sensitive risk factor in each constitution; smoking in Soyangin, LDL-cholesterol and BMI in Taeeumin, hsCRP in Soeumin.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2013

Increased intima-media thickness(IMT) of the common carotid artery is an early marker of atherosclerosis and a powerful predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between carotid artery IMT and cardiovascular risk factors. Total 134 adult were performed with Ultrasonography to measure IMT at common carotid artery, the physical measurements and blood tests, the following results were obtained. As a result, IMT showed higher value in male IMT than female IMT. And, the IMT increased according to the age increased. Also, TC and AI have positive significant correlation with IMT. In Conclusion, cardiovascular risk factors with adult are associated with increased IMT of common carotid artery.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein(CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness(carotid IMT) in a population of middle-aged Koreans. Methods : A total of 1,054 men and 1,595 women(aged 40-70 years) from Kanghwa County, Korea, were chosen for the present study between 2006 and 2007. We measured high-sensitivity CRP and other major cardiovascular risk factors including anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood chemistry, and carotid ultrasonography. Health related questionnaires were also completed by each study participant. Carotid IMT value was determined by the maximal IMT at each common carotid artery. The relationship between CRP level and carotid IMT was assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression models after adjustment for age, body mass index, menopause(women), systolic blood pressure, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglyceride level, fasting glucose, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results : Mean carotid IMT values from the lowest to highest quartile of CRP were 0.828, 0.873, 0.898, and 0.926 mm for women(p for trend<0.001), and 0.929, 0.938, 0.949, and 0.979 mm for men(p for trend=0.032), respectively. After adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors, the relationship between CRP and carotid IMT was significant in women(p for trend=0.017), but not in men(p for trend=0.798). Similarly, adjusted odds ratio of increased IMT, defined as the sex-specific top quartile, for the highest versus lowest CRP quartiles was 1.55(95% CI=1.06-2.26) in women, but only 1.05(95% CI=0.69-1.62) in men. Conclusions : CRP and carotid IMT levels appear to be directly related in women, but not in men.