Multicenter Validation Study of Real Time (B Mode) Ultrasound, Arteriography, and Pathology: I. Methods and Materials

This study was designed to determine whether B-mode ultrasound imaging is accurate for identifying and quantifying localized atherosclerosis using angiography and pathological findings for validation and correlation assessments. Twelve hundred sixty-nine (1269) patients were enrolled and 1099 (87%) carotid and 170 (13%) iliofemoral arteries were studied. Eleven percent were designated by random selection to assess repeatability/variability. The remainder were used for evaluation of sensitivity/specificity.