Multicenter Trial for Assessment of B-Mode Ultrasound Imaging

Abstract

Vascular disease, specifically atherosclerosis, continues to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in this country. In 1973, the National Heart and Lung Advisory Council emphasized the need for developing noninvasive techniques for its detection. Subsequently, this need was incorporated as a part of the National Plan of the Institute. In 1975, the first solicitation for such instrument development was released, followed in 1977, and again in 1980 by competitive renewals for expansion of this program. In 1980 the Division of Heart and Vascular Diseases, in response to advances made in noninvasive instrument development, solicited proposals for assessment of ultrasonic B-mode imaging vis-à-vis arteriography and pathology for detection and quantification of atherosclerotic lesions in human and nonhuman primate carotid and iliofemoral arteries. In 1981 this resulted in the award of seven contracts to establish one animal center, five clinical centers and a coordination center (Table 1).