Toshiba America Medical Systems has introduced Auto-IMT, an ultrasound software tool that can measure the thickness of the intima-media layers of the carotid artery, for evaluating an asymptomatic patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Toshiba has recently received FDA clearance for Auto-IMT, which is available on the Aplio XG, Aplio MX and Xario XG ultrasound systems.

Toshiba’s Auto-IMT can determine the thickness of the near and far arterial walls from three segments of the carotid artery: at an optimal angle of incidence and two complementary planes.

The Auto-IMT uses the collected images following the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) consensus statement for the diagnosis.

Toshiba worked with Midwest Ultrasound, a division of The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, to develop the software tool.

Midwest Ultrasound Clinical Operations director David Parlato said Auto-IMT has helped them to reduce the time it takes to evaluate carotid artery wall thickness from 45 minutes to less than 10 minutes, allowing to evaluate more patients in less time.

"In addition, the ability to image and measure the artery in real time eliminates the need for interim centralized PACS storage and off-line workstation review, which enables us to provide IMT-based risk screening much more efficiently for our patients," Parlato said.