This Article Full Text Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Delcker, A. Articles by Wilhelm, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Delcker, A. Articles by Wilhelm, H.

(Stroke. 1995;26:2016-2022.)
© 1995 American Heart Association, Inc.

Articles

Influence of Vascular Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Carotid Artery Plaque Progression

A. Delcker, MD; H.C. Diener, MD H. Wilhelm, PD

From the Department of Neurology, University of Essen (Germany).

Correspondence to Priv-Doz Dr A. Delcker, Department of Neurology, University of Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany.

Background and Purpose Investigations regarding arteriosclerosis of carotid arteries showed an association between increased intima-media thickness and vascular risk factors. A newly developed three-dimensional ultrasound method increases the reproducibility of plaque volume measurements because more exact volume measurements can be performed with a reduction of the disadvantages of two-dimensional measurements. In a pilot study the influence of vascular risk factors on carotid artery plaque progression was examined.

Methods Volumes of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries in 54 patients were measured with a three-dimensional ultrasound system during a 12-month period to determine the relationship between progression or regression of plaque volume, vascular risk factors, dose of aspirin, and flow turbulence in the plaque region.

Results A progression of plaque volume occurred in 67% (36/54) of all plaques. In no plaque was a regression of plaque volume seen. The optimal adjustment of all risk factors showed a significant influence on plaque progression (r=.31). Diastolic blood pressure was the strongest predictor of plaque progression (P<.01), followed by diabetes (P<.03). Turbulence in the plaque region was found in 78% of the patients in the progression group (n=36) versus 61% in the nonprogression group (n=18) but was not significant. Dose of aspirin (100 mg versus 250/300 mg) had no influence on plaque volume after 1 year.

Conclusions Treatment of vascular risk factors reduces the progression of carotid artery plaque volume in three-dimensional ultrasound. The most important factor for plaque progression is a high diastolic blood pressure. Turbulence in the flow pattern and the examined doses of aspirin showed no significant influence.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • carotid artery diseases • risk factors • ultrasonics

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Rafael, Y.-T. Lee, T.-C. Su, J.-S. Jeng, and F.-C. Sung Cerebral Atherosclerosis Causes Neurogenic Hypertension Stroke, May 1, 2002; 33(5): 1180 - 1181. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Archie Jr Restenosis After Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Paired Vein and Dacron Patch Reconstruction Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, November 1, 2001; 35(6): 419 - 427. [Abstract] [PDF]

				U. Schminke, L. Motsch, L. Hilker, and C. Kessler Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Observation of Carotid Artery Plaque Ulceration Stroke, July 1, 2000; 31(7): 1651 - 1655. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Kallikazaros, C. Tsioufis, S. Sideris, C. Stefanadis, and P. Toutouzas Carotid Artery Disease as a Marker for the Presence of Severe Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Evaluated for Chest Pain Stroke, May 1, 1999; 30(5): 1002 - 1007. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Howard, L. E. Wagenknecht, G. L. Burke, A. Diez-Roux, G. W. Evans, P. McGovern, F. J. Nieto, G. S. Tell, and for the ARIC Investigators Cigarette Smoking and Progression of Atherosclerosis: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study JAMA, January 14, 1998; 279(2): 119 - 124. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]