engleski

PRESENCE OF INCREASED STIFFNESS OF THE COMMON CAROTID ARTERY IN WOMEN WITH HIGHER BODY MASS INDEX

Background: Studies on common carotid artery (CCA) stiffness proved a strong association with atherosclerosis. They were mostly done on men, because of lower frequency of the disease in middle-aged women. In multivariant analysis of risk factors, higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with CCA wall thickening in a population of middle-aged women. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare CCA stiffness in middle-aged women with higher and normal BMI. Patients and methods: Twenty women, age and risk factors adjusted, underwent high-resolution B- and M-mode ultrasound. CCA stiffness was assessed by measuring CCA distensibility, expressed as luminal strain (LS) and wall shear stress (WSS). Distensibility was calculated as difference between systolic and diastolic CCA diameter over diastolic lumen diameter. Data were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov one sample test using exponential distribution. Results: Twenty women, aged 52, 5 + 7, 9 (range 39-69) were analyzed, 10 with BMI greater than 27, 3 kg/m2 and 10 controls. Mean IMT was 0.54 + 0, 13 mm (p<0, 5) and in control 0.46 + 0, 13 mm (p<0, 5). CCA distensibility expressed as LS was 10, 75 + 3, 52 (p<0, 5) compared to 11, 41 + 6, 29 in controls (p>0, 5), and WSS was 4, 45 + 4, 5 (p<0.05) whereas in controls 9, 59 + 3, 67 (p>0, 5). Conclusion: The data may imply that increased CCA IMT in middle-aged women with higher BMI, is associated with increased arterial stiffness as a marker of atherosclerosis only when expressed as wall shear stress.

arterial stiffness; body mass index

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