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Intima-media thickness of carotid arteries and risk factors for arteriosclerosis

Background and aims: Arteriosclerosis is a major pathophysiological process preceeding stroke. We aimed to examine the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries and 4 modifiable risk factors for arteriosclerosis (arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesteremia and smoking) in a local population.Methods: Colour Doppler ultrasound examination of extracranialcarotid arteries was performed on 417 inpatients with neurological referral diagnoses at our neurological department. IMT has been measured on the left common carotid artery close to the bifurcation. Cut-off values for normal IMT were used according to the criteria set by Salonen and Salonen (Atherosclerosis 1990). Results: 147 patients (35.3%) had normal IMT values, and 270 patients (64.7%) were with pathological IMT. The following risk factors were registered in the total group of patients.: 65.5% with hypertension, 49.5% with hypercholesteremia, 23.9% with diabetes and 18.5% with smoking. The correlation between pathological IMT and hypertension was statistically significant (p<0.0001), as well as the correlation between pathological IMT and diabetes(p<0.001). Hypercholesteremia was also reliably correlated to pathological IMT (p<0.05), while smoking had no significant correlation to IMT. Patients with normal IMT had a lower burden of 4 above mentioned risk factors (mean 1.2) than those patients with pathological IMT (mean 1.8). Conclusion: Pathological IMT of carotid arteries was a good indicator for arteriosclerotic process in our patients with major modifiable risk factor for arteriosclerosis (hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesteremia), except for those with smoking habits.

arteriosclerosis ; carotid artery ; ultrasound

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