Apolipoprotein(a), Fibrinopeptide A and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Middle-Aged Men

Objective.To study the gender- and age-specific percentile distribution of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in the unorganized urban working-age population.Material and Methods. Presented data were obtained in the ESSE-RF study in the city of Tomsk (1,412 participants, 25–64 years old without cardiovascular diseases, 59% women). All the surveyed signed voluntary informed consent form to participate in the study. We studied distributions of the mean and maximum cIMT obtained by the automatic and manual measurements, respectively. An error probability of less than 5% was considered statistically significant.Results. Both indicators of cIMT consistently increased with age in both gender groups. Maximum cIMT (max-cIMT) increased stronger than the mean cIMT (mean-cIMT). Compared with data obtained in other studies, the mean-cIMT estimates were distributed closer to the upper pole of the spectrum presented and increased stronger in 35–55-year-old men compared with those in the populations of Central and Southwestern Europe; the mean-cIMT estimates showed the most pronounced gender effect. Similar trends were identified in relation to the max-cIMT distribution.Conclusion. Obtained data allowed for specific assessment of the individual cIMT values by gender and age within the framework of risk stratification among people of working age without cardiovascular diseases. Further studies aimed at clarifying the prognostic role of high cIMT values in general population, taking into account the influence of traditional and new cardiovascular risk factors, can broaden the understanding of the significance of vascular state assessment as one of the key points, linking risk factors to clinical events, for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in population.

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PERCENTILE DISTRIBUTION OF CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IN THE GENERAL WORKING-AGE POPULATION

Siberian Medical Journal ◽

10.29001/2073-8552-2018-34-1-145-151 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 145-151

Author(s):

Kaveshnikov Kaveshnikov ◽

V. N. Serebryakova ◽

I. A. Trubacheva

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Media Thickness ◽

Informed Consent Form ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Working Age ◽

The Mean ◽

Working Age Population

Objective.To study the gender- and age-specific percentile distribution of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in the unorganized urban working-age population.Material and Methods. Presented data were obtained in the ESSE-RF study in the city of Tomsk (1,412 participants, 25–64 years old without cardiovascular diseases, 59% women). All the surveyed signed voluntary informed consent form to participate in the study. We studied distributions of the mean and maximum cIMT obtained by the automatic and manual measurements, respectively. An error probability of less than 5% was considered statistically significant.Results. Both indicators of cIMT consistently increased with age in both gender groups. Maximum cIMT (max-cIMT) increased stronger than the mean cIMT (mean-cIMT). Compared with data obtained in other studies, the mean-cIMT estimates were distributed closer to the upper pole of the spectrum presented and increased stronger in 35–55-year-old men compared with those in the populations of Central and Southwestern Europe; the mean-cIMT estimates showed the most pronounced gender effect. Similar trends were identified in relation to the max-cIMT distribution.Conclusion. Obtained data allowed for specific assessment of the individual cIMT values by gender and age within the framework of risk stratification among people of working age without cardiovascular diseases. Further studies aimed at clarifying the prognostic role of high cIMT values in general population, taking into account the influence of traditional and new cardiovascular risk factors, can broaden the understanding of the significance of vascular state assessment as one of the key points, linking risk factors to clinical events, for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in population.

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Preeclampsia Is Associated With Increased Preclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis in Women With Type 1 Diabetes

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/clinem/dgz031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (1) ◽

pp. 85-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Antonio J Amor ◽

Irene Vinagre ◽

Maite Valverde ◽

Adriana Pané ◽

Xavier Urquizu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Statin Treatment ◽

Multivariate Models ◽

Carotid Imt ◽

Established Cardiovascular Risk Factor ◽

Preclinical Atherosclerosis

Abstract Purpose Although preeclampsia (PE) is a well-established cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) in the general population, its role in type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been scarcely studied. We assessed the association between PE and preclinical atherosclerosis in T1D. Methods We recruited 112 women without cardiovascular disease and last pregnancy ≥5 years before: (1) T1D and previous PE (T1D+/PE+; n = 28); (2) T1D without preeclampsia (T1D+/PE–; n = 28); (3) previous PE without T1D (T1D–/PE+; n = 28); and (4) controls (without T1D or PE; T1D–/PE–; n = 28). Groups were matched by age, several CVRFs, and diabetes duration and retinopathy (in T1D participants). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the presence of plaque (IMT ≥ 1.5 mm) were assessed by standardized ultrasonography protocol. Results Mean age of the participants was 44.9 ± 7.8 years (14.3% hypertension and 21.4% active smokers). Groups including T1D (T1D+/PE+ and T1D+/PE–) more frequently presented hypertension and statin treatment (23.2% vs 5.4% and 37.5% vs 8.9%; respectively; P < 0.01), without differences in other CVRFs. Carotid plaques were observed in 20.5%. In multivariate models adjusted for age, CVRF, and statins, both T1D and PE showed a similar impact on the presence of plaque, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval), 5.45 (1.36–21.9) and 4.24 (1.04–17.3), respectively. Both entities showed an additive effect when combined, both in common carotid-IMT (T1D+/PE– or T1D–/PE+, β = 0.198; T1D+/PE+, β = 0.297) and in the presence of plaque (8.53 [1.07–68.2] and 28.1 [2.67–296.4], respectively). Conclusions Previous PE was independently associated with preclinical atherosclerosis in T1D. Further studies are needed to ascertain its usefulness for stratifying risk in T1D women.

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Asymmetrical distribution of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery: identical patterns across age, race, and gender

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1177/1741826711410821 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 687-697 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Parvin Tajik ◽

Rudy Meijer ◽

Raphaël Duivenvoorden ◽

Sanne AE Peters ◽

John J Kastelein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Carotid Arteries ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Bifurcation ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Future Design ◽

The Common ◽

The Individual

Background: Small autopsy studies and clinical practice indicated that carotid atherosclerosis develops in an asymmetrical helical pattern coinciding with regions of low shear stress. We investigated the distribution of carotid atherosclerosis as determined by maximum carotid intima-⊟media thickness (CIMT), to assess if we could confirm this atherosclerotic configuration across various populations with different cardiovascular risk. Methods and results: We used the individual baseline CIMT data from 3364 subjects from four recent international multicentre randomized controlled trials in which the carotid artery was systematically examined using the same ultrasound protocol and method to quantify CIMT. For each subject, circumferential information on the maximum CIMT of the left and right carotid arteries was obtained for the common carotid, bifurcation, and internal carotid artery segments. In each segment (common, bifurcation, internal), mixed modelling was used to study the differences in CIMT between angles, sides, gender, age, race, and studies. Each segment showed a different circumferential CIMT pattern. In all segments there were statistically significant differences between maximum CIMT across circumferential angles ( p < 0.001); on average CIMT was highest in the posteromedial wall of the bifurcation and internal carotid segments and in the anterolateral wall of the common carotid segment. This asymmetric circumferential pattern was found to be identical in men and women, in young and old age, in different race groups, and across the studies. Conclusions: We confirmed the asymmetrical helix-like distribution of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries and expand the evidence by showing that the atherosclerotic configuration is similar across populations with different vascular risks and across gender, age, and race. This has implications for future design of carotid ultrasound studies, as the angle of insonation is an important predictor of maximum CIMT.

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Calcium Kidney Stones are Associated with Increased Risk of Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Link between Urinary Stone Risks, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, and Oxidative Stress Markers

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9030729 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 729

Author(s):

Ho Shiang Huang ◽

Pao Chi Liao ◽

Chan Jung Liu

Keyword(s):

Kidney Stones ◽

Kidney Stone ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Urinary Stone ◽

Carotid Imt ◽

Media Thickness ◽

Stone Formers ◽

Increased Risk

Previous studies have suggested that kidney stone formers are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. To our knowledge, there have been no previous examinations of the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and urinary stone risk factors. This study was aimed toward an investigation of the association between dyslipidemia, IMT, and 24-hour urinalysis in patients with calcium oxalate (CaOx) or calcium phosphate (CaP) stones. We prospectively enrolled 114 patients with kidney stones and 33 controls between January 2016 and August 2016. All patients were divided into four groups, according to the stone compositions—CaOx ≥ 50% group, CaP group, struvite group, and uric acid stones group. Carotid IMT and the carotid score (CS) were evaluated using extracranial carotid artery doppler ultrasonography. The results of a multivariate analysis indicated that a higher serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were all associated with lower urinary citrate and higher CS in both the CaOx ≥ 50% and CaP groups. Higher serum TC and LDL were also associated with increased serum 8-OHdG levels in both groups. The levels of carotid IMT and CS in the CaOx ≥ 50% and CaP groups were all significantly higher than in the controls. These findings suggest a strong link between dyslipidemia, carotid atherosclerosis, and calcium kidney stone disease.

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Computer-assisted Ultrasound Assessment of Plaque Characteristics in Radiation-induced and Non-radiation-induced Carotid Atherosclerosis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20336/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuanxi Li ◽

Dora LW Kwong ◽

Vincent WC Wu ◽

Shea-Ping Yip ◽

Helen KW Law ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Carotid Plaque ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Plaque Formation ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Carotid Plaques ◽

Grey Scale ◽

Radiation Induced

Abstract Background Carotid atherosclerosis is common in post-radiotherapy (post-RT) patients and subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). The associated development of carotid plaques (CPs), particularly unstable plaques, is a major cause of cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, accurate detection and evaluation of CP characteristics is of essence. This study investigated the feasibility of using a computer-assisted method to evaluate and differentiate the CP characteristics in radiation-induced and non-radiation-induced CA. Methods 107 post-RT NPC and 110 CVRF subjects were recruited. Each participant had a carotid ultrasound examination of CPs and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). The carotid plaque characteristics were evaluated for grey-scale median (GSM) and detailed plaque texture analysis (DPTA) using specific computer software. In DPTA, five different intra-plaque components were color-coded according to different grey scale ranges. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate the correlation of risk factors and carotid plaque characteristics. Results Post-RT NPC patients have significantly higher CIMT (748±15.1µm, p=0.001), more incidence of plaque formation (80.4%, p<0.001) and larger number of plaques (2.3±0.2, p<0.001) than CVRF subjects (680.4±10.0µm, 38.2% and 0.5±0.1 respectively). Among the five intra-plaque components, radiation-induced carotid plaques had significantly larger area of calcification (4.8 ±7.7%, p=0.012), but lesser area of lipid (42.1%±16.9%, p=0.034) when compared to non-radiation-induced CPs (3.0%±5.7% and 46.3%±17.9% respectively). Age, radiation and number of CVRF were significantly associated with the CA burden (p<0.001). Besides, age was significantly associated with the amount of lipid and calcification within CPs (p<0.001). Conclusions Compared to CVRF subjects, post-RT NPC patients were more susceptible to carotid plaque formation with less lipid content. Considering both CA burden and plaque component, both post-RT NPC patients and individuals with CVRF have a high risk of cerebrovascular diseases.

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Vitamin D, carotid intima–media thickness and bone structure in patients with type 2 diabetes

Endocrine Connections ◽

10.1530/ec-15-0034 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 128-135 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Karoline Winckler ◽

Lise Tarnow ◽

Louise Lundby-Christensen ◽

Thomas P Almdal ◽

Niels Wiinberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Bone Health ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Cvd Risk Factors ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Carotid Imt

Despite aggressive treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) still have increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between total (25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D)) and risk of CVD in patients with T2D. Secondary objective was to examine the association between 25(OH)D and bone health. A Danish cohort of patients with T2D participating in a randomised clinical trial were analysed. In total 415 patients (68% men, age 60±9 years (mean±s.d.), duration of diabetes 12±6 years), including 294 patients (71%) treated with insulin. Carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness (carotid artery distensibility coefficient (DC) and Young's elastic modulus (YEM)) were measured by ultrasound scan as indicators of CVD. Bone health was assessed by bone mineral density and trabecular bone score measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. In this cohort, 214 patients (52%) were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l). Carotid IMT was 0.793±0.137 mm, DC was 0.0030±0.001 mmHg, YEM was 2354±1038 mmHg and 13 (3%) of the patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis. A 25(OH)D level was not associated with carotid IMT or arterial stiffness (P>0.3) or bone health (P>0.6) after adjustment for CVD risk factors. In conclusion, 25(OH)D status was not associated with carotid IMT, arterial stiffness or bone health in this cohort of patients with T2D. To explore these associations and the association with other biomarkers further, multicentre studies with large numbers of patients are required.

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Abstract WP197: Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness is Associated ith Incident Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in a Japanese General Population With a 12.6-year Follow-up: The Suita Study

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.48.suppl_1.wp197 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Yoshihiro Kokubo ◽

Makoto Watanabe ◽

Aya Higashiyama ◽

Yoko M. Nakao ◽

Misa Takegami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

Cerebral Infarction ◽

Carotid Atherosclerosis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Imt ◽

Incident Coronary Heart Disease ◽

The Mean

Introduction: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is increasingly used as a subclinical marker of cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have examined the association between IMT and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in non-Westerners. We assessed the hypothesis that carotid atherosclerosis is a predictor of CHD and stroke events in a general urban Japanese population. Methods: We studied 4,751 Japanese (2181 men and 2570 women, mean age 59.8 years, without stroke or CHD at the baseline) who completed a baseline survey and carotid atherosclerosis in the Suita Study, and were then followed for an average of 12.6 years. Carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated by high-resolution ultrasonography with atherosclerotic indexes of IMT in the common carotid artery (CCA) and the carotid artery bulb. Mean IMT was defined as the mean of the IMT of the proximal and distal walls for both sides of the CCA at a point 10 mm proximal to the beginning of the dilation of each carotid artery bulb. Max-CCA and Max-Bulb were defined as the maximum IMT in the CCA and bulb areas, respectively. We used adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models to compare the risk of CHD and stroke by use of mean and maximum carotid IMT in the CCA and bulb areas. Results: During the follow-up, we documented 145 cerebral infarctions, 58 hemorrhagic strokes, 20 unclassified strokes, and 159 CHD. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals [CI], P for trend [P trend]) in the fourth quartile (≥ 0.95 mm) of the mean IMT for strokes, cerebral infarction, and CHD were 3.13 (1.48-6.63, P trend = 0.002), 3.34 (1.33-8.37, P trend = 0.002), and 1.93 (0.96-3.88, P trend <0.0001), respectively, compared with the first quartile (<0.775 mm). The adjusted HRs (95% CI) in the fourth quartiles of Max-CCA (≥1.10 mm) and Max-BIF (≥1.55 mm) were 2.48 (1.10-5.62, P trend = 0.07) and 3.28 (1.40-7.69, P trend <0.0001) in stroke, 1.87 (0.75-4.659, P trend = 0.07) and 2.83 (1.05-7.63, P trend = 0.005) in cerebral infarction, and 3.07 (1.18-8.04, P trend <0.0001) and 6.01 (2.02-17.9, P trend <0.0001) in CHD, respectively, compared with the first quartiles (<0.9 mm). Conclusions: Carotid IMT, especially Max-BIF was a strong predictor of stroke, cerebral infarction, and CHD in a Japanese urban general population.

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Relationship between Circulating PCSK9 and Markers of Subclinical Atherosclerosis—The IMPROVE Study

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9070841 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 841

Author(s):

Daniela Coggi ◽

Beatrice Frigerio ◽

Alice Bonomi ◽

Massimiliano Ruscica ◽

Nicola Ferri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Diseases ◽

Cholesterol Metabolism ◽

Subclinical Atherosclerosis ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Pharmacological Treatments ◽

Carotid Imt ◽

Grey Scale ◽

Atherosclerosis Development ◽

Crude Analysis

(1) Background and purpose: circulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is one of the key regulators of cholesterol metabolism. Despite this, its role as a player in atherosclerosis development is still matter of debate. Here, we investigated the relationships between this protein and several markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. (2) Methods: the IMPROVE study enrolled 3703 European subjects (54–79 years; 48% men; with ≥3 vascular risk factors), asymptomatic for cardiovascular diseases. PCSK9 levels were measured by ELISA. B-mode ultrasound was used to measure markers of carotid subclinical atherosclerosis. (3) Results: in the crude analysis, PCSK9 levels were associated with several baseline measures of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) (all p < 0.0001); with cIMT change over time (Fastest-IMTmax-progr) (p = 0.01); with inter-adventitia common carotid artery diameter (ICCAD) (p < 0.0001); and with the echolucency (Grey Scale Median; GSM) of both carotid plaque and plaque-free common carotid IMT (both p < 0.0001). However, after adjustment for age, sex, latitude, and pharmacological treatment, all the afore-mentioned correlations were no longer statistically significant. The lack of correlation was also observed after stratification for sex, latitude, and pharmacological treatments. (4) Conclusions: in subjects who are asymptomatic for cardiovascular diseases, PCSK9 plasma levels do not correlate with vascular damage and/or subclinical atherosclerosis of extracranial carotid arteries.

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Risk factors for changes in carotid intima media thickness and plaque over 5 years in women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus Science & Medicine ◽

10.1136/lupus-2021-000548 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e000548

Author(s):

Apinya Lertratanakul ◽

Julia Sun ◽

Peggy W Wu ◽

Jungwha Lee ◽

Alan Dyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Plaque Progression ◽

Carotid Imt ◽

Media Thickness ◽

The Mean

ObjectiveTo investigate the occurrence of and risk factors for progression of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque in women with and without SLE.MethodsA cohort of 149 women with SLE and 126 controls participated in SOLVABLE (Study of Lupus Vascular and Bone Long-term Endpoints). Demographics, cardiovascular and SLE factors, and laboratory assessments were collected at baseline. Carotid IMT and plaque were measured using B-mode ultrasound at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. Regression models were used to identify predictors of progression in carotid IMT and plaque; multivariate models were adjusted for age, hypertension and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio.ResultsThe mean±SD follow-up time was 5.35±0.60 years in cases and 5.62±0.66 years in controls. The mean IMT change per year was 0.008±0.015 mm in cases and 0.005±0.019 mm in controls (p=0.24). At follow-up, 31.5% of cases and 15% of controls had plaque progression, with a relative risk for plaque progression of 2.09 (95% CI 1.30 to 3.37). In SLE cases, higher fasting glucose and lower fibrinogen were associated with IMT progression after adjustment. Larger waist circumference and non-use of hydroxychloroquine were associated with plaque progression after adjustment.ConclusionPotential modifiable risk factors for carotid IMT and plaque progression in women with SLE were identified, suggesting that monitoring of glucose and waist circumference and use of hydroxychloroquine may be beneficial.

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