Risk factors related to the wall thickness of carotid artery assessed by ultrasonography

Abstract

Progression of atherosclerotic lesion of the carotid artery is suggested to induce the development of cerebrovascular events. We evaluate the risk factors related to carotid artery, wall thickness by ultrasonography. A total of 159 patients, who had received no medication for hypertension or hyperlipidemia were enrolled in this study. The wall thickness of carotid artery was evaluated as an intima-media (IM) complex measured by B-mode ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz probe. Simple regression analysis demonstrated significant correlation between the IM complex and both age and systolic blood pressure, but not with fasting levels of plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total and HDL cholesterol, triglyceride or gender. Stepwise regression analysis showed age and systolic blood pressure contribute to IM thickness (r = 0.623). However, in patients aged 60 or over, blood pressure did not contribute to the IM wall thickness. Smoking was not a risk factor for IM thickness, but the Brinkman Index (daily consumption of cigarettes x years smoking) was significantly higher in patients with plaques in the carotid artery than those without it. These results suggest that high blood pressure is a risk factor for mild atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid artery for those aged under 60. Smoking may contribute to the formation of plaque, which may consequently lead to the ischemic cerebrovascular disease.