ASSESSMENT OF CAROTID INTIMAL MEDIAL THICKNESS (CIMT) IN YOUNG PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE: A CASE CONTROL STUDY

Background: Incidence of ischemic stroke in younger patients in increasing leading to higher morbidity and mortality. Data on carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT) as atherosclerotic marker in young ischemic stroke patients are scarce. Aims and Objective: To evaluate bilateral CIMT thickness and its correlation with various CVD risk factors in young ischemic stroke patients. Methods: Total 40 patients (15 to 45 age group) and age matched 40 controls were taken. Demographic profile and risk factors were evaluated. All subjects were taken for CIMT assessment by B mode ultrasonography scan in multiangle measurements in the common carotid artery (CCA), carotid bifurcation (BIF) and internal carotid artery (ICA). Results: 72.5% of patients were in 35- 45 years age group. Stroke incidence was higher in male. Age specific value of CIMT was higher in all cases as compared to age matched controls in all age group. (p? 0.01) Increasing age, smoking and hypertension were significantly associated with higher bilateral CIMT. Conclusion: Ischemic stroke young population is associated with increased CIMT. Risk factors burden is contributory in speeding up atherosclerotic process leading to higher CIMT with multiple co morbidities. Keywords: carotid intimal medial thickness, carotid bifurcation, ischemic stroke

Abstract P493: Small Dense Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness Progression

Introduction: Carotid intimal medical thickness (cIMT) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The association between atherogenic lipoproteins including small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C) and carotid intimal medial thickness (cIMT) progression has not been fully evaluated in a prospective cohort study. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that sdLDL-C is the most atherogenic lipoproteins with regard to cIMT progression. Methods: Kyushu and Okinawa Population Study (KOPS) is a community-based, prospective, and observational study in Japan which has been underway since 2004 and a total of 18,762 participants have been enrolled. For this study, we included 2,030 male and female participants (median age 59 years at baseline) who were free of CVD and off cholesterol lowering medication, and had cIMT measured at both baseline and after 5 years follow-up survey. Using plasma samples obtained from those subjects after overnight fast, we measured total cholesterol, direct low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), sdLDL-C, LDL-triglycerides (LDL-TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2-C, HDL3-C, triglycerides, Lp(a), adiponectin and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs CRP). Their cIMT levels were measured by B-mode ultrasonography with a 10 MHz probe at far walls of their both right and left common carotid arteries. Results: Median cIMT at baseline was 0.63 mm and median 5 year progression was 0.18 mm. After adjustment for standard CVD risk factor including age, gender, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-C, smoking, diabetes, and hypertension treatment, only LDL-C, sdLDL-C, and the sdLDL-C/LDL-C ratio were associated with cIMT progression. Even in subjects with direct LDL-C < 100 mg/dL, considered to be at low CVD risk, elevated sdLDL-C were associated with cIMT progression ( P for trend = 0.009) in a model with established CVD risk factors, although the sdLDL-C/LDL-C ratio did not. Conclusions: In conclusion, both sdLDL-C and direct LDL-C are significantly associated with cIMT progression. Moreover sdLDL-C has stronger relationship with cIMT progression than does LDL-C; therefore, measurement of sdLDL-C may allow for the formulation of optimal therapy to cIMT progression.

Effect of statins on atherosclerosis in chronic kidney disease patients guided by CD4+CD28nullT cells over duration of six months

Objectives Chronic kidney disease and atherosclerosis are considered to be inflammatory process in which T cells and cytokines participate. This study determines the effect of statin therapy as an anti-inflammatory agent on the level of CD4+CD28null T lymphocyte population, and subsequently on atherosclerosis in patients with chronic renal disease. Methods We recruited 90 chronic kidney disease patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT) as an indicator of atherosclerosis. Two groups (group A in whom CIMT above 0.95 mm and B in whom CIMT below 0.95 mm) were given statin (atorvastatin 20mg) while the third group (group C in whom CIMT below 0.95 mm) continue only on the conservative treatment for CKD patients. CD4+CD28null T cells was measured in the three groups at the beginning of the study and after 6 months of statin therapy. Results CD4+CD28null T cells was decreased in statin groups (group A and B) when compared to no-statin group (group C) at the end of the study. Multivariable regression analysis for the effect of statin therapy showed that statin can independently increase the percentage of decrease both CD4+CD28null cells at the end of our study (p-value &lt;0.0001). Conclusion Our study demonstrates that statins reduce CD4+CD28null T cells in CKD patients especially with atherosclerosis suggesting that statins may help in altering the inflammatory process that lead to atherosclerosis.

Importance of carotid intimal medial thickness measurement in patients with coronary artery disease

Background: Prevalence of CAD in urban India is about double that of rural India and about 4-fold higher than in United States. Mortality related to CAD is high in Indian Population. Early diagnosis can prevent the CAD related morbidity and mortality. Aims and objectives is to study and compare the CIMT among the patients with CAD and asymptomatic control group.Methods: Hundred patients with CAD were studied for the CIMT and compared with age and sex matched asymptomatic control subjects in Department of Medicine of G. R. Medical College, Gwalior for one year from 2012 to 2013. Details on history, risk factors and presenting symptoms were recorded for all. High resolution B mode ultrasonography was performed to assess CIMT of carotid arteries.Results: CAD was more prevalent among males (78%) having mean age of 56.82±8.91 years. Majority of CAD patients had dyslipidemia (42%) followed by hypertension (21%), diabetes (13%) and smoking (17%). Majority of the CAD patients had chest pain (98%) followed by breathlessness (54%) and sweating (12%) as the most common presenting symptom. Mean CIMT was significantly more among the CAD patients (0.76±0.34) as compared to those without it (0.63±0.22) (p<0.001).Conclusions: CIMT was found to be more in CAD as compared to asymptomatic control subjects. CIMT can be an important tool for assessing CAD and atherosclerosis.

Association between Serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) Glycoprotein and Calcific Deposits on Cardiac Valves and Carotid Intimal-Medial Thickness in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Cardiac valve calcification (CVC) is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Once believed to be a passive process, it is now understood that the Wnt signaling pathway has a major role. The aim of the current study was to assess the relationship between circulating DKK-1, a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, and CVC, as well as carotid intimal-medial thickness (CIMT) in HD patients. Methods: We enrolled 74 consecutive adults on maintenance HD. Echocardiographic calcification of the mitral valve (MV) and aortic valve (AV) were detected according to Wilkins score (range 0–4), and the study of Tenenbaum et al. [Int J Cardiol. 2004 Mar;94(1):7–13] (range 0–4), respectively. CVC severity was calculated by a supposed score (range 0–8) that represents the sum of calcification grade of MV and AV. CVC severity was classified into absent (CVC score = 0), mild (CVC score = 1–2), moderate (CVC score = 3–4), and severe (CVC score ≥5). Demographic and biochemical data were collected in addition to serum DKK-1 levels and CIMT. Results: CVC was present in 67 patients (91.0%). There was a highly significant negative correlation between serum DKK-1 level and CVC score (r = –0.492; p ≤ 0.001), as well as CIMT (r = –0.611; p ≤ 0.001). Age and CIMT were independent determinants of CVC. Conclusions: CVC is almost present in all HD patients. DKK-1 seems to have a direct relation with CVC and CIMT in HD patients. Age is the strongest independent determinant of CVC.