Cardiovascular risk in carotid disease: assessment of doppler sonography and biomarker results

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Atherosclerosis and correlated cardiovascular problems, whose mechanical and physiological disorders cause thickening and hardening of blood vessels, are among the main causes of death worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To assess plasma concentrations of biomarkers from the lipid metabolism and carotid doppler sonography results by correlating them with atherogenic carotid disease. METHODS: the study comprised 66 patients aged 57.5 ± 15.5 years (20-77), from which 63% were female. Serum markers and doppler sonography images were used to evaluate the association with atherogenic carotid disease (ACD). RESULTS: There was a higher prevalence of ACD among females (33% vs. 15%), age range 56-65, showing a relative risk (RR) of 1.56 among females (p < 0.002; Fisher, Katz). Concerning high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and carotid stenosis classification, North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET), 76% of patients showed HDL-C within the protection range, from which 31 individuals presented level I (normal). 81% of them showed HDL-C > 40 mg/dl and 19% had HDL-C ≥ 40 mg/dl. The prevalence of HDL-C > 40 mg/dl at levels II, III and IV was considerable. There was no difference in HDL-C among the groups (p = 0.4910; unpaired t test). Furthermore, there was no difference in paraoxonase (PON1) activity when stratified to HDL-C > and < 40 mg/dl (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The female group displayed higher ACD prevalence at 56-65 age range, with RR of 1.56 times higher. These findings substantiate the importance of analyzing this group and age range carefully, inasmuch as the absence of hormonal protection may increase ACD risk and ultimately influence HDL antioxidant activity due to its direct action on PON1. Triglycerides (TG)/HDL-C ratio indicates cardiovascular risk and impaired reverse cholesterol transport.