Abstract: Abstract　Objective：To explore the value of E-tracking technology (ET) in evaluating carotid artery elasticity function in active smokers. Methods：One hundred and thirty-two active smokers and 49 normal nonsmoking persons (group A) were divided into 3 groups by cigarette-smoking index (CSI= the number of cigarette-smoked each day × the year of cigarette smoking), including group B (CSI<400), group C (CSI=401-800) and group D (CSI=801-1200). ET was used to detect the intima media thickness (IMT), internal diameter of systolic (Ds) and internal diameter of diastole (Dd). The values of stiffness parameters (β), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC) and pulse wave conducting velocity (PWVβ) were calculated and analysed in 4 groups. Results：There were no statistical significances in age, body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PD), IMT, Ds, and Dd between group A and other 3 groups. There were significant differences in β, Ep, AC and PWVβ between group A and other 3 groups (P<0.01), except for the group A and group B (P>0.05). And there were significant differences in β, Ep, AC and PWVβ between group B, group C and group D(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). The values of β, Eρ and PWVβ increased with the increase of CSI, but AC decreased with the increase of CSI. Conclusion: ET technique can be used to access the vessel endothelial dysfunction accurately in active smokers; therefore, the tendency of arteriosclerosis could be detected in early stage.

Key words: Ultrasonography, Carotid arteries, Elasticity, E-tracking technique, Active smoking