University of Wisconsin Atherosclerosis Imaging Research Program

Ultrasound Core Laboratory for Clinical and Epidemiological Research

The University of Wisconsin Atherosclerosis Imaging Research Program (UW AIRP) is an ultrasound core laboratory for clinical and epidemiological research studies that use ultrasound, electrocardiographic, exercise, and other physiologic research tools to quantify atherosclerosis, arterial injury, and cardiovascular disease risk.

Core Lab Services

photo of Bucky Badger standing on a treadmill in the AIRP

Capabilities

Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and grayscale analysis
Carotid artery plaque detection and quantification
Brachial artery reactivity testing of endothelial function and grayscale analysis
Arterial stiffness by tonometry and carotid ultrasound
Assessment of cardiac structure, function, and coronary blood flow (by echocardiography)
Exercise stress testing with electrocardiography, echocardiography, and metabolic measures
12-lead electrocardiography
Heart rate variability

We also can perform ambulatory electrocardiography/12-lead Holter monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and coronary artery calcium scoring using cardiac computed tomography.

The UW AIRP is the Carotid Ultrasound Reading Center for the NHLBI Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, the NuMOM2b Heart Health Study, and several other NIH-funded research studies. We also are the Brachial Artery Reactivity Testing (BART) Reading Center for the NHLBI HIV-CVD Collaborative and several other studies.