Artery Research

Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2009, Pages 168 - 169

P9.08 ASSESSMENT OF PLAQUE FORMATION IS A PRE-REQUISITE TO PREDICT CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS USING CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS

Authors
J.R.M. Blekemolen2, J.D. Barth1, M.M.B. Zonjee2
1University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
2Vitide Medical Center, Overveen, NH, Netherlands
Available Online 3 December 2009.
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.128How to use a DOI?
Abstract

Role and function of the Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) and atherosclerotic Plaque (P) in clinical management of cardiovascular risk factors is yet unclear. Cardiovascular Risk Factor Stratification (SCORE) and CIMT with P typing and visualization were assessed in 269 asymptomatic individuals over 45 years (45–65 y), undergoing an annual health check. Cases with P (n=38) were compared to cases without P (n=231). The CIMT was measured using a fully automated quantitative algorithm that assesses the average, minimum and maximal thickness during several seconds, as single frames sometimes did not show either a quality CIMT or Plaque formation.

Results: CIMT with Plaque CIMT without Plaque p value

N=38 (age 59) N=231(age 58)
CIMT (mm) 0.78±0.12 0.74±0.09 NS
BMI (>30kg/m2) 16% 10% <0.01
Smoking 20% 15% <0.01
Systolic BP >135 mmHg 62% 44% <0.05
Diastolic BP>85 mmHg 40% 21 % <0.01
LDL-c mmol/l 3.9 3.6 NS
HDL-c mmol/l 0.95 1.05 NS

These findings indicate that normal/high CIMT values were present in both populations. Individual risk factors were only significantly correlated to risk factors if P was present.

Conclusion: assessment of only a CIMT in a population group above 45 years old does not add much to the standardized SCORE risk factor stratification. If a P is present, the addition of a measurement of CIMT plus P has incremental value to manage the subclinical disease in clinical practice. These findings underscore that in subclinical disease several frames should be assessed to maximize quality. CIMT alone adds little value to a SCORE measurement procedure.

Summary:

  1. 1.

    Plaque assessment seems a critical component to manage disease in clinical practice to provide incremental value in addition to SCORE and CIMT alone.

  2. 2.

    Multiple frames should be assessed to maximize yield on image quality.

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This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

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Journal
Artery Research
Volume-Issue
3 - 4
Pages
168 - 169
Publication Date
2009/12/03
ISSN (Online)
1876-4401
ISSN (Print)
1872-9312
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.128How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

TY  - JOUR
AU  - J.R.M. Blekemolen
AU  - J.D. Barth
AU  - M.M.B. Zonjee
PY  - 2009
DA  - 2009/12/03
TI  - P9.08 ASSESSMENT OF PLAQUE FORMATION IS A PRE-REQUISITE TO PREDICT CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS USING CAROTID INTIMA MEDIA THICKNESS
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 168
EP  - 169
VL  - 3
IS  - 4
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.128
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2009.10.128
ID  - Blekemolen2009
ER  -