From the Department of Clinical Physiology (S.R., S.H., K.J.-U.) and the
Department of Medicine, Stroke Unit (M.Z., C.C.), Stockholm Söder
Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Correspondence to Stefan Rosfors, Department of Clinical Physiology, Stockholm Söder Hospital, S-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail Stefan.Rosfors{at}Fys.sos.sll.se
Background and Purpose—An increase
in intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery (CCA) is
commonly used as a marker of atherosclerosis. The
purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between IMT
in the CCA and atherosclerosis in the carotid
bifurcation.
Methods—182 consecutive patients (mean age, 67 years) referred
for carotid duplex scanning were included. We measured IMT and
classified plaques by means of a high-resolution ultrasound
technique.
Results—IMT was correlated to age, male gender, ischemic
heart disease, and presence of plaques or stenoses in any of
the carotid bifurcations. In men, IMT was larger on the left than on
the right side. Plaques were seen in 163 carotid bifurcations, in 45 of
these with >50% stenosis. On the left side but not on the
right, there was a correlation between IMT in the CCA and presence of
plaques or stenoses in the carotid bifurcation. Echogenic
plaques were more common than echolucent, but the latter caused
significantly more stenoses. No relationship was found between
plaque echogenicity and IMT.
Conclusions—IMT of the CCA is correlated to the degree of
atherosclerosis in the carotid bifurcations in general
and on the left side also to the presence of plaques or
stenoses in the left carotid bifurcation. Our results support
earlier observations suggesting faster development of carotid
atherosclerosis on the left than on the right side.
Echogenic plaques were more common and generally smaller than
echolucent plaques, but there was no correlation between plaque
echogenicity and IMT.
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Contributions
Relationship Between Intima-Media Thickness in the Common Carotid Artery and Atherosclerosis in the Carotid Bifurcation
Key Words: aging • atherosclerosis • carotid arteries • ultrasonography, Doppler
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