scholarly journals Use of intima media thickness in the assessment of the development of preclinical atherosclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R N N Najafov

Abstract Background/Introduction In the carotid arteries, an IMT >0.9 mm measured by Duplex sonography is considered abnormal and can be considered an independent predictor of preclinical atherosclerosis. IMT >1.5 mm can already be called an atherosclerotic plaque. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the age characteristics of the intima media thickness in the carotid arteries Methods The analysis was performed on the basis of retrospective observations of 483 patients who underwent ultrasound dopplerography during 2010–2017. The mean age of the studied patients was 53.28±14.06 (min 9, max 86 years), the standard mean error was ± 0.64. Among those examined, 165 (34.16%) were men and 318 (65.84%) were women. Measurements for IMT were performed on both the right and left: common, external, and internal carotid arteries. IMT is defined in the following ranges: <0.9 mm – normal thickness; 0.9–1.0 mm – intermediate thickness; >1.0 mm – increased thickness; ≥1.5 mm – atherosclerotic plaque. Results The comparison was made in 3 age groups: <40; 40–65; >65 years. 3 IMT values were taken: <0.9; 0.9–1.0; >1.0 mm. Indicators are calculated in both absolute numbers and percentages. The accuracy of the obtained results was checked by chi square statistics (p<0.05). There were 477 patients in the age group we studied. We lost 6 pts in this study. It was 90 pts at the age <40 years, 293 pts at the age 40–65 years, 94 pts at the age >65 years. It was 249 pts with IMT <0.9 mm, 107 pts with IMT 0.9 - 1.0 mm, 121 pts with IMT >1.0 mm. According to our results, it was IMT <0.9 mm in 87.78% (79 pts) cases at the age <40 years, 52.22% (153 pts) at the age 40–65 years, 18.09% (17 pts) at the age >65 years. IMT was found between 0.9 and 1.0 mm in 5.56% (5 pts) cases at the age <40 years, 47.71% (73 pts) at the age 40–65 years, 30.85% (29 pts) at the age >65 years. It was IMT >1.0 mm in 6.67% (6 pts) cases at the age <40 years, 22.87% (67 pts) at the age 40–65 years, 51.06% (48 pts) at the age >65 years. Conclusion(s) The prevalence of the IMT >1.0 mm more at the age >65 years (51.06%), IMT 0.9–1.0 mm more at the age 40–65 years (47.71%), IMT <0.9 mm more at the age <40 years (87.78%). FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

2002 ◽  
pp. 303-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Colao ◽  
P Marzullo ◽  
G Lombardi

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a 6-month treatment with slow-release lanreotide (LAN) on cardiovascular risk and atherosclerosis in 24 normotensive patients with active acromegaly (GH=67.4 +/- 12.6 mU/l, IGF--I=866.0 +/- 55.8 microg/l) and 24 healthy subjects sex-, age- and body mass index-matched with the patients (as controls). DESIGN: Open, prospective, multicenter. METHODS: The following were measured before and after 6 months of LAN treatment (dose 60-90 mg/month): fasting GH, IGF-I, LDL, HDL and total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin and fibrinogen levels, intima-media thickness (IMT) and blood systolic and diastolic peak velocity (SPV and DPV respectively) in both common carotids. RESULTS: At study entry, insulin, total and LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and fibrinogen levels were higher while HDL cholesterol levels were lower in patients than in controls. At the right (0.88 +/- 0.04 vs 0.77 +/- 0.03 mm, P=0.05) and left (0.93 +/- 0.03 vs 0.78 +/- 0.02 mm, P=0.01) common carotid IMT was significantly higher in patients than in controls; 12 patients and two controls showed an IMT of > or = 1 mm (chi(2)=8.2, P=0.004). After 6 months of LAN treatment, disease control was achieved in 15 patients (62.5%). Insulin, triglyceride and fibrinogen levels were significantly decreased, and a trend toward a decrease of IMT in the right (from 0.90 +/- 0.05 to 0.78 +/- 0.04 mm, P=0.06) and left (from 0.95 +/- 0.04 to 0.84 +/- 0.04 mm, P=0.06) common carotid arteries was observed only in patients with disease control, while SPV and DPV did not change. CONCLUSIONS: LAN treatment for 6 months significantly lowered GH, IGF-I, insulin and fibrinogen levels and reduced IMT of both common carotid arteries in normotensive patients with acromegaly.


VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuna Rueb ◽  
Jonathan Mynard ◽  
Richard Liu ◽  
Melissa Wake ◽  
Peter Vuillermin ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), an ultrasonographic marker of cardiovascular risk, is increasingly used in adults and children. The choice of specific images used to quantify CIMT from a cine sequence is often based on image quality rather than on a consistent point in the cardiac cycle. This methodological study quantified the imprecision that may be introduced by variation of CIMT during the cardiac cycle. Probands and methods: Data from four-year-olds, 11 to 12-year-olds, and adults (n=30 each age group) were selected retrospectively from two population-derived studies. Far wall CIMT of the right common carotid artery was measured at end-diastole and peak systole using standardized protocols. All images were analysed using semi-automated edge-detection software. Results: In all age groups CIMT varied significantly during the cardiac cycle and was largest at end-diastole. The mean difference in CIMT between end-diastole and peak systole was greater in four-year-olds (38 μm; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 33 to 43 μm) and 11 to 12-year-olds (31 μm; CI 26 to 36 μm) than in adults (18 μm; CI 16 to 22 μm). Carotid IMT increased by 8.8 % (CI 7.7 to 9.8 %), 6.9 % (CI 5.8 to 8.1 %), and 3.8 % (CI 3.1 to 4.5 %) between minimum and maximum arterial diameter in four-year-olds, 11 to 12-year-olds, and adults, respectively. The greatest variation in CIMT during the cardiac cycle was observed in children (up to 14 %). Conclusions: Inconsistent timing of CIMT measurement during the cardiac cycle is an avoidable source of imprecision, especially in children, in whom inter-individual differences are smallest. As CIMT is largest at end-diastole, this is the most appropriate time point for consistent and comparable measurements to be made.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1119.3-1120
Author(s):  
L. Nacef ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
H. Riahi ◽  
Y. Mabrouk ◽  
E. Labbene ◽  
...  

Background:Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at higher cardiovascular risk (CVR) than the general population due to chronic inflammation. Several factors, both modifiable and non-modifiable, can increase this risk. Intima-media thickness (IMT) was considered as a marker for atherosclerosis.Objectives:This study aimed to identify predictor factors of increasing IMT.Methods:The prospective study was carried out on patients with RA who met the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria. These patients were followed in the rheumatology department of the Kassab Institute. The socio-demographic data, biological and immunological parameters were collected.Framingham’s score quantified the cardiovascular risk at 10-years. Carotid Ultrasonography (US) using a high resolution B mode carotid measured intima-media thickness (IMT) as a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis. Carotid US was performed in the supine position, according to American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. IMT was measured in the left (LCC) and right (RCC) common carotid arteries, the left (LIC) and right (RIC) internal carotid arteries, and the left (LEC) and right (RIC) internal carotid arteries. An increased IMT was defined as ≥0.9 mm.We analyzed data by the SPSS statistical package. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results:Of the 47 patients surveyed, 78.7% were female. The mean age was 52.5 ±11.06 [32-76]. The duration disease was 86.25 ±63 months [5-288] and was erosive in 81.6% of cases. The rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 57.8% of patients, and citrullinated antipeptide antibodies (ACPA) were present in 62.2%. Eight patients had a previous CV history (hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia) and 16.4% were active smokers. Among women, 43.6% were postmenopausal. ITM was significantly higher in men at LIC (0.037) and LEC (0.025). Older age was associated with increased ITM in LIC (p=0.046; r=0.295), LEC (p=0.05; r=0.412), RCC (p=0.034; r=0.317), and REC (p=0.009; r=0.382). The ITM for LCC, LIC, LEC, RCC, RIC, and REC was higher in postmenopausal women, with no significant difference (p=0.782, p=0.208, p=0.877, r=0.734, p=0.808, p=0.437, respectively).Among the modifiable factors, active smoking was associated with a higher ITM at the REC level (p=0.047). However, weight was not associated with an increased ITM (LCC: p=0.092; LIC: p=0.985; LEC: p=0.952; RCC: p=0.744; RIC: p=0.210; REC: p=0.510). In our study, there was no significant association between DAS28 disease activity or inflammatory marks and ITM (LCC: p=0.784; LIC: p=0.316; LEC: p=0.420; RCC: p=0.784; RIC: p=0.484; REC: p=0.754).Conclusion:In our study, the non-modifiable factors associated with increased ITM were advanced age and male gender. The modifiable factor impacting ITM was primarily active smoking. Surprisingly, disease activity and biological inflammation did not influence ITM.References:[1]S. Gunter and al. Arterial wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and experimental rheumatology 2018; 36: clinical e.xperimental.[2]Aslan and al. Assessment of local carotid stiffness in seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid Arthritis. Scandinavian cardiovascular journal, 2017.[3]Martin i. Wah-suarez and al, carotid ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects: a case-control study. Int j rheum dis. 2018;1–7.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1117.3-1118
Author(s):  
L. Nacef ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
H. Riahi ◽  
K. Maatallah ◽  
Y. Mabrouk ◽  
...  

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic inflammatory rheumatism characterized by an independent cardiovascular (CV) risk. The screening of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery appears to be a marker of atherosclerosis and is used as a specific tool for CV risk assessment.Objectives:The main of this study was to determine the most associated US sites with CV risk in RA.Methods:The present study is a prospective study conducted on Tunisian RA patients in rheumatology department of Mohamed Kassab University Hospital (March and December 2020). The characteristics of the patients and those of the disease were collected. The measurement of cIMTwas done using high-resolution B-mode carotid US with a Philips machine with the patient in supine position, according to AmericanSociety of Echocardiography guidelines.The carotid bulb below itsbifurcation and the internal and external carotid arteries were evaluated bilaterally with gray scale, spectral and color Doppler ultra-sonography using proprietary software for carotid arterymeasurements.IMT was measured using the two inner layers of the commoncarotid artery and an increased IMT was defined as ≥0.9 mm. The CV risk at 10 years was calculated by the SCORE index.Results:Forty-seven patients were collected, of which 78.7% were women. The mean age was 52.5 ±11.06 years. The rheumatoid factor (RF) was positive in 57.8% of cases, and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) were positive in 62.2% of cases. RA was erosive in 81.6% of cases. Hypertension (hypertension) was present in 14.9% of patients and diabetes in 12.8% of patients. Nine patients were active smokers. The mean IMT in the left common carotid (LCC) was 0.069 ±0.015, in the left internal carotid (LIC) was 0.069 ±0.015, in the left external carotid (LEC) was 0.060 ±0.023. The mean IMT was 0.068 ±0.01 in the right common carotid (RCC), 0.062 ±0.02 in the right internal carotid (RIC), and 0.060 ±0.016 in the right external carotid (REC). The mean SCORE index of CV risk was 2±2.81 [0-11.6]. CV risk was significantly associated with the IMTs for LIC (p=0.029; r=0.374), LEC (p=0.04; r=0.480), and REC (p=0.016; r=0.408). No association was found between the IMT in the LCC (p=0,361; r=0,162), neither in the RCC (p=0,438; r=0,140) nor the RIC (p=0,670; r=0,077).Conclusion:In our study, IMT is strongly associated with score index, especially in carotid bifurcation. However, IMT measured in common carotid does not reflect a cardiovascular risk at 10-years.References:[1]S. Gunter and al. Arterial wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2018; 36: Clinical E.xperimental.[2]Aslan and al. Assessment of local carotid stiffness in seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL, 2017.[3]Martin I. Wah-Suarez and al, Carotid ultrasound findings in rheumatoid arthritis and control subjects: A case-control study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018;1–7.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2003 ◽  
Vol 131 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 382-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatjana Damjanovic ◽  
Nada Dimkovic

Atherosclerosis is significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. Aim of the study was ultrasound evaluation of intima media thickness on carotid arteries (as a marker of atherosclerosis), in dialysis patients and its correlation with proposed risk factors. Intima media thickness was measured in 45 dialysis patients with no signs of cardiovascular diseases (15 on peritoneal dialysis, group I,30 on hemodialysis, group II) and 20 healthy controls. The mean carotid artery intima media thickness was significantly higher in dialysis patients than in control group. According to intima media thickness, dialysis patients were divided in group A (patient with intima media thickness less or equal 0,720 mm) and group B (intima media thickness higher then 0,720mm). Intima media thickness in bout group was correlated with proposed risk factors. In group A there was not significant correlation of intima media thickness with risk factors. In group B significant correlation have been found between intima media thickness and LDL, VLDL cholesterol, body mass index and systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure. Although atherosclerosis was not the only cause for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, it has a dominant role in dialysis patients. Augmented intima media thickness could be early marker of atherosclerosis. The risk factors of great influence on intima media thickness are lipid disturbances, obesity and hypertension.


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