scholarly journals Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in Children with Celiac Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Anna Rybak ◽  
Aldona Wierzbicka ◽  
Piotr Socha ◽  
Anna Stolarczyk ◽  
Bożena Cukrowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
The Impact

Introduction and Objectives. Celiac disease (CD) is a complex autoimmune disorder occurring in genetically susceptible individuals. There is limited data on the impact of gluten-free diet (GFD) on the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hereby, we present our study regarding the impact of treatment with GFD on the biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis. Material and Methods. 277 patients with CD from 7 Polish clinics were enrolled in the study (210 children treated for at least 5 years and 67 children included in the study on the day of CD diagnosis and observed for 1 year on a GFD). We obtained selected clinical data, and we assessed lipid profile, apolipoproteins (A1, B, and E), lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, as well as antioxidants (folic and uric acid), and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) for all patients. The compliance to GFD was verified using anti-transglutaminase antibodies and deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies. As a reference group, the data of 95 healthy children recruited for another project was used, for which we had the results of selected parameters. Results. We found significantly lower concentrations of total cholesterol, lipoprotein LDL-C, apolipoproteins A1 and B, as well as hCRP in all children with CD. We showed decreased level (<5 ng/mL) of folic acid among 46% of children treated for >5 years. Moreover, we showed significant decrease of folic acid level already after 1 year of a GFD (12 vs. 5.6 ng/mL; p<0.001). We also found significant negative correlation of z-score body mass index (BMI) with HDL and APOA1 level (r=−0.33; p=0.015 and r=−0.28; p=0.038, respectively) and modest positive correlation of z-score BMI with atherogenic factor of total cholesterol-HDL ratio and LDL-HDL ratio (r=0.40; p=0.002 and r=0.36; p=0.006, respectively). Analysis of physical activity showed an increase in the insulin levels with inactivity (r=0.36; p=0.0025). We also found positive correlation of the sleep duration with the adiponectin level (r=0.41; p=0.011). Conclusions. In children with CD treated with a GFD, decreased level of folic acid together with increased BMI, sedentary behavior, and an improper lipid profile may predispose them to atherosclerosis in the long run. This data suggests the need of further studies to determine the need for metabolic cardiovascular risk screening in children with CD.

scholarly journals Correlation between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Lipid Profile among Children with Beta Thalassemia Major

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 1790-1794
Author(s):  
Christian Nasir ◽  
Nelly Rosdiana ◽  
Aridamuriany Dwiputri Lubis
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Thalassemia Major ◽  
Atherogenic Index ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
P Value ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Beta Thalassemia Major

BACKGROUND: Beta thalassemia major is associated with lipid profile abnormalities, presented as a lower level of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and higher triglyceride level; increasing risk for cardiovascular complications. The previous studies indicated that Vitamin D give a positive impact on the lipid profile in healthy children population. However, its role needs to be determined in a high-risk group of children with beta-thalassemia major. AIM: To determine the correlation between vitamin D (25-OHD) and lipid profile among children with beta-thalassemia major. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a general tertiary hospital in Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia from January to March 2018. Subjects were children aged below 18-year-old with beta-thalassemia major. The measurement of vitamin D (25-OHD) level and 10-12 hour overnight fasting serum lipid profile including total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL were performed. The analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation and Fisher test. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-five subjects were enrolled in this study, with serum ferritin level ranged from 1017 to 13372 ng/mL. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (a 25-OHD level less than 20 ng/mL) in this study was 40%, with mean value at 20.6 (SD 5.3) ng/mL. The markers for cardiovascular risk were observed to be elevated, both in Atherogenic Index Plasma (0.32 ± 0.25) and TC: HDL ratio (4.2 ± 1.5). Statistical analysis revealed that Vitamin D had positive correlation with total cholesterol (r = 0.302, p = 0.044) and HDL (r = 0.297, p = 0.048). There was no significant correlation between both vitamin D and triglyceride (p = 0.305), or vitamin D and LDL (p = 0.727). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D correlated positively with total cholesterol and HDL in children with beta-thalassemia major. Positive correlation to HDL indicated a beneficial effect of vitamin D to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complication.

scholarly journals Impact of risk factors associated with cardiovascular outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia S Crowson ◽  
Silvia Rollefstad ◽  
Eirik Ikdahl ◽  
George D Kitas ◽  
Piet L C M van Riel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Disease Activity Score ◽  
Population Attributable Risk ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesPatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an excess risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the impact of CVD risk factors, including potential sex differences, and RA-specific variables on CVD outcome in a large, international cohort of patients with RA.MethodsIn 13 rheumatology centres, data on CVD risk factors and RA characteristics were collected at baseline. CVD outcomes (myocardial infarction, angina, revascularisation, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and CVD death) were collected using standardised definitions.Results5638 patients with RA and no prior CVD were included (mean age: 55.3 (SD: 14.0) years, 76% women). During mean follow-up of 5.8 (SD: 4.4) years, 148 men and 241 women developed a CVD event (10-year cumulative incidence 20.9% and 11.1%, respectively). Men had a higher burden of CVD risk factors, including increased blood pressure, higher total cholesterol and smoking prevalence than women (all p<0.001). Among the traditional CVD risk factors, smoking and hypertension had the highest population attributable risk (PAR) overall and among both sexes, followed by total cholesterol. The PAR for Disease Activity Score and for seropositivity were comparable in magnitude to the PAR for lipids. A total of 70% of CVD events were attributable to all CVD risk factors and RA characteristics combined (separately 49% CVD risk factors and 30% RA characteristics).ConclusionsIn a large, international cohort of patients with RA, 30% of CVD events were attributable to RA characteristics. This finding indicates that RA characteristics play an important role in efforts to reduce CVD risk among patients with RA.

scholarly journals Clinical Investigations of the Effect of Citrus unshiu Peel Pellet on Obesity and Lipid Profile

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seongil Kang ◽  
Sangyeol Song ◽  
Joosang Lee ◽  
Hyekyung Chang ◽  
Sanghun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Cholesterol Level ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Total Cholesterol Level ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Citrus Unshiu ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. Several experimental studies have reported antiobesity and lipid-improving effects of Citrus unshiu. However, clinical studies on its effects are lacking. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of Citrus unshiu peel pellet (CUPP) on obesity and lipid profile. Methods. For 118 patients with body mass index (BMI) > 23 who took Citrus unshiu peel pellet (CUPP) for 4 weeks in a Public Health Center, laboratory and biometric readings before and after CUPP administration were analyzed. Results. Mean age of these subjects was 53.8±10.6 years (range: 18-75 years). There were 88 (74.6%) females in the study sample (n = 118). A significant (p < 0.01) decrease in BMI from 27.47±2.24 to 27.27±2.22 was observed in all subjects after CUPP treatment and 65.3% (N = 77) of them lost 1.03±0.83 kg of weight after 4 weeks of treatment. Total cholesterol level was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased from 204.0±37.4 mg/dL to 193.5±36.5 mg/dL. Significant (p < 0.05) decreases in levels of low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and triglyceride were also observed. Conclusions. These results suggest that CUPP in practice could help weight control and improve total cholesterol level. Findings of this study provide clinical foundation for future large-scale trials to establish clinical benefits of CUPP.

scholarly journals Correlation of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase with Traditional Risk Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Different Obesity Phenotypes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Kumar Meena ◽  
Sonali Sharma ◽  
Barkha Gupta ◽  
Asrar Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Liver Enzymes ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Gamma Glutamyl ◽  
Glutamyl Transferase

Introduction: The increased prevalence of overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome has revealed that liver enzymes have a potential role as determinants of metabolic conditions such as, hyperlipidemia, and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Aim: The study aimed to investigate the correlation between liver enzymes with anthropometric indices of obesity and lipid profile in different obese phenotypes at a tertiary care. Materials and Methods: The present observational study was conducted on a total of 180 obese participants of either gender in the age group 18-59 years from December 2018 to May 2019. These were further divided into two phenotypic groups viz., Metabolically Healthy Obese (MHO group; n=90) and Metabolically Unhealthy Obese (MUHO group; n=90) according to NCEP ATP III criteria.Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated in the study participants through anthropometric viz., Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Hip Circumference (HC), waist–hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure and biochemical investigations i.e., serum glucose, lipid profile and liver enzymes. Data was analysed by using Microsoft excel software. Results: Among 180 obese participants, 76 were males and 104 females with mean age 40.42±10.84 years. In MUHO phenotype, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) showed a strong positive correlation with BMI (r=0.413, p=0.00001), lipid parameters viz., LDL-C (r=0.3785, p=0.0001), TC (r=0.2953, p=0.0023), TG (r=0.2623, p=0.006) and negative correlation with HDL-C (-r=0.3167, p=0.001). No significant correlation was found in MHO phenotype between liver enzymes, BMI and lipid profile parameters. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that GGT shows a strong positive correlation with traditional risk factors in MUHO participants. Thus, raised GGT may be considered as a risk marker of CVD in MUHO phenotype.

scholarly journals Identification and validation of seven new loci showing differential DNA methylation related to serum lipid profile: an epigenome-wide approach. The REGICOR study

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (20) ◽  
pp. 4556-4565 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Sayols-Baixeras ◽  
I Subirana ◽  
C Lluis-Ganella ◽  
F Civeira ◽  
J Roquer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Intergenic Region ◽  
Serum Lipid ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Differential Methylation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Epigenetic Mark

Abstract Lipid traits (total, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. DNA methylation is not only an inherited but also modifiable epigenetic mark that has been related to cardiovascular risk factors. Our aim was to identify loci showing differential DNA methylation related to serum lipid levels. Blood DNA methylation was assessed using the Illumina Human Methylation 450 BeadChip. A two-stage epigenome-wide association study was performed, with a discovery sample in the REGICOR study (n = 645) and validation in the Framingham Offspring Study (n = 2,542). Fourteen CpG sites located in nine genes (SREBF1, SREBF2, PHOSPHO1, SYNGAP1, ABCG1, CPT1A, MYLIP, TXNIP and SLC7A11) and 2 intergenic regions showed differential methylation in association with lipid traits. Six of these genes and 1 intergenic region were new discoveries showing differential methylation related to total cholesterol (SREBF2), HDL-cholesterol (PHOSPHO1, SYNGAP1 and an intergenic region in chromosome 2) and triglycerides (MYLIP, TXNIP and SLC7A11). These CpGs explained 0.7%, 9.5% and 18.9% of the variability of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the Framingham Offspring Study, respectively. The expression of the genes SREBF2 and SREBF1 was inversely associated with methylation of their corresponding CpGs (P-value = 0.0042 and 0.0045, respectively) in participants of the GOLDN study (n = 98). In turn, SREBF1 expression was directly associated with HDL cholesterol (P-value = 0.0429). Genetic variants in SREBF1, PHOSPHO1, ABCG1 and CPT1A were also associated with lipid profile. Further research is warranted to functionally validate these new loci and assess the causality of new and established associations between these differentially methylated loci and lipid metabolism.

scholarly journals High Levels of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Pakistanis in Norway Compared to Pakistanis in Pakistan

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naeem Zahid ◽  
Haakon E. Meyer ◽  
Bernadette N. Kumar ◽  
Bjørgulf Claussen ◽  
Akhtar Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

Objectives. Previous studies have shown that the Norwegian-Pakistanis had considerably higher prevalence for diabetes and obesity compared to Norwegians. We studied the additional risk of obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension among Pakistanis in Norway compared to Pakistanis living in Pakistan.Method. 770 Norwegian-Pakistani adults (53.9% men and 46.1% women) born in Pakistan from two surveys conducted in Norway between 2000 and 2002 were compared with a sample of 1230 individuals (29.1% men and 70.9% women) that participated in a survey in Pakistan in 2006.Results. Both populations had similar height, but Norwegian-Pakistanis had considerably higher mean weight. Of the Norwegian-Pakistanis, 56% of the males and 40% of the females had a BMI above 25 kg/m2, as opposed to 30% and 56% in Pakistan, for males and females, respectively. Norwegian-Pakistanis had higher total cholesterol.Conclusion. Obesity and an unfavourable lipid profile were widely prevalent in both populations; the highest level was recorded amongst those living in Norway. The increased risk for obesity and dyslipidemia may be ascribed to change of lifestyle after migration.

scholarly journals Healthy changes in some cardiometabolic risk factors accompany the higher summertime serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in Iranian children: National Food and Nutrition Surveillance

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 2013-2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahareh Nikooyeh ◽  
Zahra Abdollahi ◽  
Majid Hajifaraji ◽  
Hamid Alavi-Majd ◽  
Forouzan Salehi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
25 Hydroxyvitamin D

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate seasonal variations of vitamin D status at different latitudes and if these changes are accompanied by corresponding variations in certain health parameters in children living in a broad latitudinal range in Iran.DesignLongitudinal study.SubjectsIn total, 530 apparently healthy children aged 5–18 years were randomly selected from six regions of Iran with a latitudinal gradient from 29°N to 37·5°N. All anthropometric and biochemical assessments were performed twice during a year (summer, winter). High BMI (Z-score >1), low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dl, males; <50 mg/dl, females) and high TAG (>150 mg/dl) were considered cardiometabolic risk factors.ResultsSerum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) showed between-season variation, with significantly higher concentrations (mean (sd)) in summer v. winter (43 (29) v. 27 (18) nmol/l; P<0·001). Change of circulating 25(OH)D between summer and winter was negatively correlated with change of BMI (r=−0·16; P<0·001), TAG (r=−0·09; P=0·04) and total cholesterol (r=−0·10; P=0·02) and directly correlated with change of height-for-age Z-score (r=0·09; P=0·04). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis (β; 95 % CI) showed that winter serum 25(OH)D (−0·3; −0·4, −0·2; P<0·001), gender (boys v. girls: 9·7; 5·2, 14·1; P<0·001) and latitude (>33°N v. <33°N: 4·5; 0·09, 9·0; P=0·04) were predictors of change of serum 25(OH)D between two seasons.ConclusionsSummertime improvement of vitamin D status was accompanied by certain improved cardiometabolic risk factors, notably serum TAG, total cholesterol and BMI, in children.

scholarly journals The Effects of Intermittent Hypoxic–Hyperoxic Exposures on Lipid Profile and Inflammation in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bestavashvili Afina ◽  
S. Glazachev Oleg ◽  
A. Bestavashvili Alexander ◽  
Dhif Ines ◽  
Suvorov Alexander Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fatty Acid Binding ◽  
Inflammatory Status ◽  
Control Sham

Background: Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) tend to suffer from comorbidities, and are often simultaneously affected by obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. This syndrome can be reversed if it is timely diagnosed and treated with a combination of risk factors-reducing lifestyle changes and a tailored pharmacological plan. Interval hypoxic-hyperoxic training (IHHT) has been shown as an effective program in reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with MS even in the absence of exercise. However, the influence of IHHT on the lipid profile and inflammation in this clinical population remains relatively unknown.Methods: A prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 65 (33 men) patients with MS aged 29–74 years, who were randomly allocated to the IHHT or control (sham) experimental groups. The IHHT group completed a 3-week, 5 days/week intermittent exposure to hypoxia and hyperoxia. The control (sham) group followed the same protocol but was breathing room air instead. The primary endpoints were the lipid profile (concentrations of total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], and triglycerides [TG]) and the inflammatory factors such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), galectin-3, heat shock proteins (Hsp70). The secondary endpoints were alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide level (NTproBNP), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2).Results: There were no differences between the two groups but the different baseline values have affected these results. The IHHT group demonstrated pre-post decrease in total cholesterol (p = 0.001), LDL (p = 0.001), and TG levels (p = 0.001). We have also found a decrease in the CRP-hs (p = 0.015) and Hsp70 (p = 0.006) in IHHT-group after intervention, and a significant decrease in pre-post (delta) differences of NTproBNP (p &lt; 0.0001) in the IHHT group compared to the control group. In addition, the patients of the IHHT group showed a statistically significant decrease in pre-post differences of ALT and AST levels in comparison with the control group (p = 0.001). No significant IHHT complications or serious adverse events were observed.Conclusions: The IHHT appears to improve lipid profile and anti-inflammatory status. It is a safe, well-tolerated procedure, and could be recommended as an auxiliary treatment in patients suffering from MS, however, the experiment results were limited by the baseline group differences.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier [NCT04791397]. Evaluation of the effect of IHHT on vascular stiffness and elasticity of the liver tissue in patients with MS.

Cardio-vascular risk factors according to different profiles of night work and shift work

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Esquirol ◽  
E Bourgkard ◽  
M Dziurlac ◽  
J Ferrieres ◽  
C Ribet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Shift Work ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Night Shift ◽  
Night Work ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Work History ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The shift-night work concerns around 17% workers in our modern society with evident need of this type of organisation for productivity and economic reasons for the companies. if the impact of this global organisation pattern on cardiovascular disease or risk factors is more and more documented, it remains unclear which types of rotating or night work are really involved and which are the impact on cardiovascular risk of being exposed currently or in the past to these different types of shift-night work. Purpose To study possible relationships between arterial blood pressure, anthropometric markers, fasting biomarkers, and sleep disturbances, and different exposure profiles of night work and/or shift work. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 65.126 workers aged 18–70 at baseline in the French random population-based Constances cohort. Four exposure groups were defined: (1) workers with current permanent night work, (2) current night shift workers 3x8, (3) day workers with past night and/or shift work, (4) day workers without night and/or shift work during their work history (reference group). Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, socio-economic position, and personal history of ischemic cardiovascular disease (CVD) were performed to assess associations between clinical risk markers for CVD at baseline and these exposure groups. Results Compared with the reference group, current and past night workers had a significant higher risk of obesity (Body Mass Index≥30). Permanent night workers had a significant higher risk of metabolic syndrome, mostly due to abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia (&gt;1.7 mmol/l) and low level of high density lipoprotein. Even if day workers with past night/shift work had no statistically significant over-risk of metabolic syndrome, they presented significantly higher risks for the same three criteria as observed for the permanent night workers. However, only hypertriglyceridemia was significantly more frequent among 3x8 workers. Among current night workers, 3x8 had a higher risk of sleep disturbances while permanent had not. Sleep disturbances over-risk was also observed among day workers with past night/shift work. No over-risk of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and elevated levels of gamma-glutamyl-transferase was observed among the three groups. Conclusion The results support the need for enhanced cardiovascular follow-up of workers exposed to night and/or shift work. However, it is also necessary to follow regularly and specifically current day workers with a past night and/or shift work history. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): INRS: institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité

Cardiovascular risk factors and cervical carotid plaque features on CT angiography

2021 ◽  
pp. 197140092110474
Author(s):  
John C Benson ◽  
Valentina Nardi ◽  
Christopher H Hunt ◽  
Amir Lerman ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Ct Angiography ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Arterial Stenosis ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Low Density ◽  
The Impact

Background Little is known about the impact that cardiovascular (CV) risk factors have on the formation of various carotid atherosclerotic plaque features. This study set out to assess the association between CV risk factors and plaque characteristics on computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA). Materials and methods A retrospective review was completed of consecutive patients that underwent a carotid endarterectomy and had CTA imaging of the head and neck vasculature. Atherosclerotic plaques of both carotid arteries were evaluated for calcification(s), low-density plaque (LDP) components, ulceration(s), and degree of stenosis. Various clinical CV risk factors were assessed using medical records. Last recorded laboratory levels were dichotomized into categories: total cholesterol <200 or ≥200 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) <130 or ≥130 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein <35 or ≥35 mg/dL, and triglyceride <200 or ≥200 mg/dL. Results Of 97 included patients, 62 were male (63.9%); the average age was 72.7 (standard deviation = 9.5). Calcifications were in 95/97 (97.9%) of patients (one or both carotid plaques); LDP components were in 73/97 (75.3%), and ulcerations were in 21/97 (21.6%). Elevated total cholesterol and elevated LDL levels were both associated with a higher likelihood of LDP components ( p = 0.004 and p = 0.02, respectively). There were no other statistically significant associations between individual plaque features or severity of arterial stenosis and CV risk factors. Conclusion In carotid atherosclerotic plaques, LDP components are more frequently present in one or both carotid arteries in patients with elevated total cholesterol and/or LDL levels. Such findings raise the possibility that cholesterol levels may be directly related to the formation of specific high-risk plaque features.

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