Professional
Technical
IVT
intimal-medial thickness
Also written as: IMT — intimal-medial thickness
Ultrasound measurement of arterial wall thickness used as an early marker of atherosclerotic disease.
Full Definition
Intimal-medial thickness (IMT) represents the combined thickness of the arterial intima and media layers as measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Commonly assessed in the carotid artery, increased IMT indicates early atherosclerotic changes and predicts future cardiovascular events. Normal values vary by age and sex, with measurements greater than 0.9mm generally considered abnormal. IMT measurement is valuable for cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic patients.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as IMT in clinical practice.
In Context
- "The carotid intimal-medial thickness measured 1.2mm, indicating increased cardiovascular risk." — Ultrasound report
- "Serial IMT measurements can monitor progression of subclinical atherosclerosis." — Research protocol
Also known as
IMT
carotid IMT
Don't confuse with
plaque thickness
vessel diameter