Evaluation of atherosclerostic characteristics in senior citizens from the Ximen community of Haishu district by ultrasonography.

Abstract

Background: The carotid artery is one of the means used to predict cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk in the elderly. Methods: 1057 senior citizens older than 60 years from Ximen community of Haishu district, had their carotid arteries examined by ultrasound examination with parameters including intima-media thickness (IMT), presence of plaque, the plaque thickness, peal systolic velocity (PSV), resistance index (RI) and the level of narrowing of bilateral internal carotid arteries. Results: Except for IMT_(LICA), IMT_(RCCA), IMT_(RICA), PSV_(LCCA) and PSV_(RCCA), all ultrasound parameters were significantly different among different age groups (p ＜ 0.05). Comparing between sex within the same age group, except for IMT_(RCCA), PSV_(LCCA), RI_(LICA), PSV_(RCCA), PSV_(RICA) and RI_(RICA), other ultrasound parameters were found to be significantly different in the 60-70 year-old group (p ＜ 0.05); with the exception of PSV_(LICA), RI_(LICA), PSV_(RICA), RI_(RICA), the feature of the plaque on the left carotid arteries, other ultrasound parameters were significantly different in the ≥ 70-80 year-old group (p ＜ 0.05); except for IMT_(RICA) and RI_(LCCA), no other ultrasound parameters were significantly different in the ≥ 80 year-old group (p ＞ 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound screening has significant predictive and preventative value for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Early detection of these diseases will significantly improve patient outcomes in clinical practice.