Carotid Extra-media Thickness Research Articles

Age-related carotid extra-media thickening is associated with increased blood pressure and arterial stiffness.

Ageing results in higher blood pressure and arterial stiffening leading to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The extra-media thickness (EMT) is a composite measure of the arterial adventitia, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and the jugular vein, but the association among EMT and ageing, blood pressure and arterial stiffness is largely unknown. We hypothesized that EMT is associated with ageing, blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Fifty (18M/32F, age range 20-79years.) individuals underwent measures of EMT (media-adventitia border to jugular lumen interface) via ultrasonography, blood pressure (brachial; carotid), arterial stiffness (carotid beta-stiffness, distensibility and Young's modulus) and body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry). Independent two-tailed t-tests compared characteristics between young and middle-aged/older adults (MA/O). Bivariate correlations assessed the relation between EMT, ageing, blood pressure and arterial stiffness endpoints. Partial correlations were used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. Compared to young, MA/O adults had higher EMT, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, BMI and BF% (all, p≤0.05). Carotid EMT was positively correlated with age (r=0.46), brachial SBP (r=0.32), carotid SBP (r=0.42), PP (r=0.42), beta-stiffness (r=0.37) and Young's elastic modulus (r=0.43) (all, p≤0.05), and negatively correlated with carotid distensibility (r=-0.34, p≤0.05). All endpoints correlated with EMT remained after adjusting for BMI, BF% and sex (p≤0.05). These data suggest EMT is a clinically relevant target that may be associated with age-related CVD risk in humans, yet further investigation is required to elucidate the role of EMT in age-related increases in blood pressure and arterial stiffness.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness as a possible predictor of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with abdominal obesity

Aim. To assess epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness using echocardiography as one of the possible predictors of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with abdominal obesity in prospective follow-up.Material and methods. The study included 224 men (mean age, 49,1±2,4 years), without hypertension, carotid atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, with abdominal obesity and SCORE risk <5%. The levels of albuminuria, lipid and glucose profiles, C-reactive protein, uric acid, blood creatinine, EAT thickness, ultrasound parameters of abdominal obesity and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) were assessed. At the follow-up end (mean duration, 48,2±4,8 months), repeated triplex ultrasound of the brachiocephalic arteries was performed.Results. Patients with developed carotid atherosclerosis (n=70) had higher baseline values of blood pressure, fasting glycemia, C-reactive protein, as well as a higher incidence of prediabetes, hyperuricemia, and high-grade albuminuria. They were also distinguished by high values of EAT thickness (6,1±0,6 mm vs 5,0±1,0 mm, p <0,001), abdominal visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio (3,1±0,5 vs 2,7±0,6, p <0,05) and carotid extra-media thickness (0,64±0,08 mm vs 0,50±0,11 mm, p <0,01). According to multivariate logistic regression, EAT thickness was characterized by the maximum standardized regression coefficient (0,443, p <0,001), and the total percentage of correct mathematical model classifications was 88,2%. According to the ROC-analysis, the area under the curve was 0,86. With a cut-off value of EAT thickness of 5,9 mm, the sensitivity and specificity of the predictive model were 71,5% and 92,3%, respectively.Conclusion. EAT thickness assessed by echocardiography, as a marker of the severity of visceral EAT, can serve as a predictor of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in persons with abdominal obesity and initially low cardiovascular risk according to the SCORE calculator. Patients with verified epicardial visceral obesity require more active preventive measures.

Association of SYNTAX Score with PATIMA Index, Carotid Intima- and Extra- Media Thicknesses

Objectives: Several risk scoring systems have been validated for cardiovascular risk prediction and prognosis. PATIMA index combining Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), carotid extra media thickness (CEMT), cardiac epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and body mass index (BMI)), are related to coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and Methods: One-hudered-twenty-four patients were categorized as low SYNTAX (

Carotid Extra-Media Thickness in Children: Relationships With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Endothelial Function

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that structural adventitial modifications and perivascular adipose tissue (PAT) may have a role in early atherogenesis. In a cohort of children and adolescents, we explored (1) the association of carotid extra-media thickness (cEMT), an ultrasound measure whose main determinants are arterial adventitia and PAT, with obesity and its cardiometabolic complications; and (2) the interplay between cEMT and endothelial function.Methods: The study participants included 286 youths (age, 6–16 years; 154 boys, and 132 girls). Anthropometric and laboratory parameters, liver ultrasound, vascular structure measures [cEMT and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)], endothelial function [brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD)] were obtained in all subjects. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was diagnosed in the presence of hepatic fat on ultrasonography, in the absence of other causes of liver disease. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was established on the basis of three or more of the following cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk variables: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure (BP), and impaired fasting glucose.Results: cEMT demonstrated significant associations with body-mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), BP, insulin resistance, NAFLD, and inflammation. No association was found between cEMT and lipid values, and between cEMT and MetS. A stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that WC (β coefficient, 0.35; P < 0.0001) was the only determinant of cEMT, independently of other major cardiometabolic risk factors. Further adjustment for cIMT did not significantly alter this association. FMD was correlated to age, Tanner stage, total and abdominal obesity, BP, NAFLD, and cEMT. The association between FMD and cEMT was independent of age, sex, Tanner stage, WC, and BMI (β coefficient, −0.14; P = 0.027). After controlling for CVD risk factors and basal brachial artery diameter, cEMT remained associated with FMD (β coefficient, −0.11; P = 0.049).Conclusions: In youths, cEMT is associated with abdominal fat, a well-established body fat depot with important implications for cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, cEMT is related to FMD, suggesting that arterial adventitia and PAT may be involved in the early changes in endothelial function.

The Inverse Association of Muscular Strength with Carotid Intima-media and Extra-media Thickness in Women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between strength and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in young women. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and extra-media thickness (EMT) were used as measures of subclinical atherosclerosis and CVD risk. Muscular strength, IMT, and EMT were measured in 70 young women (mean age=21±4 years). Strength was determined using a handgrip dynamometer and expressed relative to body mass. IMT and EMT were measured using ultrasonography of the left common carotid artery. Objectively measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was assessed with accelerometry. Higher relative handgrip strength was associated with lower IMT (r=-0.23; p<0.05) and lower EMT (r=-0.27; p<0.05). Associations between relative handgrip strength and IMT (r=-0.24) as well as EMT (r=-0.25) remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders including traditional CVD risk factors and MVPA (p<0.05). These results show that there is an inverse association between handgrip strength with carotid IMT and EMT in young women. Muscular strength may reduce CVD risk in young women via favorable effects on subclinical carotid atherosclerosis independent of physical activity.

Emerging measurements of atherosclerosis: extra-media thickness, epicardial adipose tissue, and periarterial adipose tissue intima media adventitia index in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

IntroductionIncreased values of emerging fat indices are correlated with increased cardiovascular risk.AimTo examine the novel non-invasive predictors of coronary disease, namely the carotid extra-media thickness (EMT), PATIMA, and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), in a group of patients with morbid obesity.Material and methodsWe examined a group of 40 morbidly obese (OB) patients and a control group (CG). All patients were subjected to anthropometric measurements, as well as laboratory and ultrasound examinations.ResultsEATmean and EMTmean differed significantly between groups (OB vs. CG): 5.09 vs. 3.50 and 808.50 vs. 737.00, p < 0.0001, respectively.ConclusionsStrong correlations were found between novel non-invasive predictors of coronary disease, namely the carotid extra-media thickness, PATIMA, and epicardial adipose tissue. The above-mentioned fat indices were not found to correlate significantly with BMI or other body weight-related parameters used to assess the adipose tissue content. Further studies are required.

Obesity, visceral adiposity and carotid atherosclerosis

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a complex and multifactorial chronic disease. Our aim was to assess the associations between obesity, fat depots and carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in patients with high cardiovascular (CV) risk. MethodsThe study group included 391 patients (F/M: 136/255 pts.; age: 61.8 ± 8 years) scheduled for elective coronary angiography. A comprehensive clinical assessment included a carotid artery and abdominal ultrasound involving the following fat depots: (1) carotid extra-media thickness (EMT) indexed to the body mass index (perivascular adipose tissue [PVAT]), and (2) abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat. ResultsPatients with a ≥50% stenosis of internal carotid artery (ICA) were older (65.9 ± 7 vs 60.3 ± 7 years, p < 0.0001) and had increased PVAT (836 ± 120 vs 779 ± 127 μm, p < 0.01) compared to individuals with <50% internal carotid artery stenosis. None of the CAS parameters were associated with any measures of obesity. Multivariable regression model showed that age (p < 0.0001), PVAT (p < 0.0001) and smoking (p = 0.04) were independently associated with the severity of ICA stenosis. ConclusionsOur study showed that carotid extra-media thickness, an index measure of PVAT, is associated with CAS severity. It is a strong and independent predictor of significant ICA stenosis. None of the obesity measurements revealed associations with carotid atherosclerosis.

Obesity, Visceral Fat, and Hypertension-Related Complications.

Background: Hypertension and obesity are very common and complex cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive assessment of associations between visceral fat depots and vascular or cardiac complications of hypertension. Methods: All the consecutive patients (age: 45-80 years old) scheduled for elective coronary angiography in the Department of Cardiology were screened, and 400 patients were included into the study group. All the patients had a comprehensive clinical assessment focused on hypertension and obesity, risk factors, fat depots, and several hypertension-related vascular or cardiac complications. Results: The study group (n = 400; F/M: 140/260; age: 61 ± 7 years) included patients with hypertension (n = 354; 88.5%) and normal blood pressure (n = 46; 11.5%) and individuals with obesity (n = 192; 48%), diabetes (n = 139; 35%), metabolic syndrome (n = 240; 60%), and coronary artery disease (n = 286; 71%). Patients with higher degrees of hypertension (grade 3 vs. 2 vs. 1) showed increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference and ultrasound indexes of perivascular, epicardial, and abdominal visceral fat with no differences in age, waist-hip ratio, and subcutaneous fat. Both visceral fat depots: perivascular fat (carotid extra-media thickness) and abdominal visceral fat (intra-abdominal thickness) assessed as single measures and ratios were significantly increased in hypertensive patients with high versus low global CV risk in a hypertension-focused risk model (differences more pronounced in patients ≤60 years old). Visceral fat parameters were not independent, but rather additive to general obesity (BMI), except for visceral abdominal fat depot. Conclusions: Visceral abdominal and perivascular fat depots assessed as ultrasound indexes are associated with complications of hypertension and CV risk indicators, especially in patients with a mild-to-moderate hypertension and in younger patients.

Carotid extra-media thickness increases with age, but is not related to arterial stiffness in adults

BackgroundAssessment of carotid artery perivascular adipose tissue through carotid artery extra-media thickness (EMT) ultrasonography has emerged as a novel assessment technique that might contribute unique information to comprehensive evaluations of arterial health. Currently, there is a lack of research examining relationships between EMT and existing measures of arterial health in adults. We investigated the relationships between EMT and established measures of arterial health, including aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), carotid distensibility, and intima-media thickness (IMT) in adults. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional, observational design, we assessed resting aPWV, carotid distensibility, IMT and EMT in 81 participants who were categorized as younger healthy adults (YHA; n = 51; 25 ± 6 years), older healthy adults (OHA; n = 15; 70 ± 5 years) or older adults with coronary artery disease (CAD; n = 15; 68 ± 9 years). ResultsEMT, IMT, and aPWV were higher while carotid distensibility was lower in OHA and CAD versus YHA (P < 0.05). EMT was correlated with age (r = 0.48; P < 0.01), aPWV (r = 0.43; P < 0.01), IMT (r = 0.41; P = 0.01), and distensibility (r = −0.37; P < 0.01). Despite significant correlations, EMT was not an independent predictor of any of the traditional measures of arterial health included in this study. ConclusionsThe novel finding of this study is that while EMT is elevated in older versus younger adults, in agreement with established indicators of arterial health, it is not a predictive factor in these existing measures. EMT may, however, still have clinical utility as a target for comprehensive monitoring of interventions specifically designed to impact arterial structure and function.

Carotid stiffness, extra-media thickness and visceral adiposity in young adults

Background and aimsCarotid extra-media thickness (EMT) encompasses arterial adventitia and perivascular adipose tissue (PAT). Adventitial remodeling and PAT may contribute independently to functional (stiffness) and structural (remodeling) changes in artery wall properties. Visceral adiposity may contribute to PAT, thereby affecting artery stiffness. We investigated the relationships between carotid artery stiffness, EMT, and visceral adiposity in young, healthy individuals. Methods135 healthy males (20 ± 2 yr, body mass index [BMI] 24.8 ± 3.3 kg/m2) underwent anthropometric and vascular measures on two separate days. Visceral adiposity was assessed using waist circumference and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD). Brachial and carotid systolic, diastolic, and pulsatile (PP) blood pressures were assessed using an oscillometric cuff and applanation tonometry, respectively. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and EMT were assessed using Doppler ultrasound. Carotid artery stiffness was calculated as β-stiffness and calibrated to carotid pressures. ResultsSeparate stepwise multiple regression models demonstrated that carotid PP (β = 0.205) and EMT (β = 0.267) accounted for 12.6% of variance in β-stiffness, while carotid PP (β = 0.195) and SAD (β = 0.226) accounted for 10.5% of variance in EMT (p < 0.05). Mediation analyses revealed carotid PP partially mediated the relationship between a) EMT and β-stiffness, and b) SAD and EMT (p < 0.05). ConclusionsCarotid PP and EMT, but not IMT, are related to carotid β-stiffness. Carotid PP and visceral adiposity (SAD) are related to EMT. Carotid PP partially mediates the association between a) EMT and carotid β-stiffness, and b) SAD and EMT. Our findings suggest visceral adiposity may detrimentally affect subclinical markers of cardiovascular disease risk (carotid PP, EMT) and contribute to artery stiffness.

Carotid extra-media thickness is associated with intima-media thickness and renal dysfunction in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes

Carotid extra-media thickness is associated with intima-media thickness and renal dysfunction in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes

Extra-medial thickness of carotid artery in patients with Behçet's disease: evaluation of atherosclerotic vessel wall changes with a novel carotid artery ultrasound index.

Chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are the characteristic features of Behçet's disease (BD). We researched carotid extra-medial thickness (cEMT), a novel ultrasound parameter for atherosclerotic vessel wall changes, and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), a widely accepted marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, in patients with BD, and we evaluated the relationship between these two parameters. In total, 31 patients with BD were matched to 26 control subjects based on age, gender, and major cardiovascular risk factors. Laboratory parameters, including lipid profile, were measured for both patients and controls. B-mode ultrasonography was used to assess the cEMT and cIMT. There was no significant difference in the cEMT values between the patients with BD and the control group (P = 0.90). cIMT in the BD group was significantly higher compared with the control group (P = 0.021). There was a significant positive correlation between cIMT and cEMT (r = 0.585, P = 0.001). Both cEMT and cIMT were positively correlated with age and the presence of arthritis. There was linear correlation with sedimentation, C-reactive protein, and cEMT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate both cEMT and cIMT in BD. This study presents morphological evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis in terms of cIMT. Although there was no significant increment in cEMT, it has the potential to assess endothelial dysfunction in BD. Further studies are required to confirm this finding.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphtous stomatitis (RAS) is an inflammatory oral mucosal disease. It has been known that inflammatory cascade plays important role in the atherosclerotic process. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between subclinical atherosclerotic findings and a systemic inflammatory disease, RAS. In total, 32 patients with RAS were matched with 30 control subjects on the basis of age, sex, and major cardiovascular risk factors. Laboratory parameters including lipid profiles were determined for patients and controls. B-mode ultrasonography was used to assess carotid extra-medial thickness (cEMT) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Both cEMT and cIMT in the RAS group were significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.002 and 0.013, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between cIMT and cEMT (r=0.381, P=0.034). cIMT was positively correlated with age, triglyceride levels, and systolic blood pressure, while cEMT was positively correlated with age in patients with RAS. To our knowledge, this is the first reported study to evaluate cEMT and cIMT in patients with RAS. This study presents morphological evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with RAS. Further studies investigating the relationship between atherosclerosis and RAS are needed.

Carotid extramedial thickness is associated with local arterial stiffness in children.

Experimental evidence suggests that structural changes to the arterial adventitia may be a key vascular determinant of early arterial stiffening, although this has not been directly studied. Accordingly, we hypothesized that in young children, in whom this relationship would not be altered by atheroma, carotid extramedial thickness (EMT), a measure that incorporates the thickness of the arterial adventitia, perivascular tissues and the internal jugular venous wall, would be associated with localized arterial stiffness of the same arterial region. We studied 248 healthy prepubescent children (aged 8 years). Carotid diameter and carotid EMT were measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Carotid blood pressure was derived from brachial blood pressure and carotid tonometry. Three measures of localized arterial stiffness (β stiffness index, distensibility coefficient and incremental modulus of elasticity) were calculated for the common carotid artery. Results were adjusted for heart rate and DBP, two important hemodynamic determinants of arterial stiffness. Carotid EMT was associated with all three measures of arterial stiffness (β stiffness index: standardized β = 0.121, P = 0.03; distensibility coefficient: standardized β = -0.121, P = 0.05; incremental modulus of elasticity: standardized β = 0.140, P = 0.02). These associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders such as sex, height, waist circumference, BMI and body surface area. Carotid EMT is associated with the stiffness of the same arterial segment in children, suggesting that the arterial adventitia may be involved in early changes in arterial stiffness during childhood.

THE “EXTRA-MEDIA” THICKNESS OF CAROTID ARTERIES AS A NOVEL MARKER OF PERIVASCULAR VISCERAL ADIPOUS TISSUE: ACCENT ON THE RELATION WITH VASCULAR REMODELLING PARAMETERS

Aim. To perform ultrasound assessment of the “extra-media” thickness (EMT) of carotid arteries and to analyze its association with vascular stiffness and sonographical indexes of carotid arteries condition in patients with abdominal obesity. Material and methods. Totally, 84 normotensive men assessed, non-sympthomatic by cardiovascular diseases and with non high risk by SCORE (mean age 44,7±4,2 y.) with abdominal obesity. We performed triplex scanning of brachiocephalic arteries with measurement of carotid EMT, echocardiographical measurement of epicardial fat and ultrasound assessment of abdominal visceral fat tissue; bifunctional 24-hour monitoring of blood pressure. Results. Carotid EMT was from 0,3 mm to 0,8 mm (mean 0,43±0,12 mm). Linear correlation coefficient of the parameter was 0,49 for the age (p<0,001), for body mass index 0,47 (p<0,001), for waist circumference 0,32 (p<0,01), for epicardial fat 0,71 (p<0,001), for abdominal visceral fat 0,48 (p<0,001), for fasting glucose 0,35 (p<0,001), for high-sensitive C-reactive protein of blood 0,42 (p<0,001), for carotid intima-media 0,41 (p<0,001), for aortic pulse wave velocity 0,56 (p<0,001). Significantly higher EMT of carotid arteries were found in patients with carotid atherosclerosis (0,63±0,08 mm vs 0,39±0,08 mm, р<0,001), increase of carotid “intima-media” thickness (0,49±0,12 mm vs 0,41±0,12 mm, р<0,01) and high levels of pulse wave velocity in aorta (0,51±0,12 mm vs 0,38±0,10 mm, р<0,001). Conclusion. The EMT correlation revealed, for carotid arteries with the age, indirect and direct markers of visceral obesity, metabolic risk factors, vascular remodeling parameters. Carotid atherosclerosis patients, with intima-media hypertrophy, increased vessel stiffness had higher levels of this perivascular visceral fat tissue marker.

The association of obesity and obesity-related conditions with carotid extra-medial thickness in children and adolescents.

Carotid extra-medial thickness (EMT) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) provide information concerning vascular changes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between carotid EMT and obesity and its metabolic complications in children. The study included 38 obese subjects and 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls aged between 7 and 17 years. For all subjects, complete blood count, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured. The carotid EMT and cIMT were measured by an expert radiologist in all patients. Body mass index (BMI) (28.8 ± 3 vs. 18.1 ± 2.2, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (167.9 ± 34.8 mg dL-1 vs. 150.5 ± 28.1 mg dL-1 , p = 0.029), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (4.3 vs. 1.7, p < 0.001), cIMT (0.51 ± 0.08 mm vs. 0.45 ± 0.06 mm, p < 0.001) and carotid EMT (0.74 ± 0.11 mm vs. 0.64 ± 0.1 mm, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in obese subjects than in controls, while HDL cholesterol (41.6 ± 6.5 mg dL-1 vs. 49.5 ± 7.5 mg dL-1 , p < 0.001) was lower in obesity group. Among the obese subjects, the HOMA-IR values (4.7 vs. 3.6, p = 0.027), cIMT (0.54 ± 0.07 mm vs. 0.49 ± 0.07 mm, p = 0.039) and carotid EMT (0.79 ± 0.1 mm vs. 0.7 ± 0.1 mm, p = 0.013) were significantly higher in post-pubertal children compared with prepubertal children. BMI, cut-off values of HOMA-IR and cIMT were significantly associated with increased carotid EMT (p < 0.001, p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). The only independent risk factor affecting carotid EMT was BMI (p < 0.001). We have found that carotid EMT is associated with cIMT, obesity and insulin resistance and the assessment of carotid EMT may provide additional information concerning early vascular disease.

Obesity, ultrasound indexes of fat depots and lipid goal attainment in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk: A novel approach towards better risk reduction

AimOur aim was to assess the attainment of primary (low density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C) and secondary (non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol; non-HDL-C) lipid therapeutic goals in relation to obesity, clinical measures of adiposity and ultrasound indexes of fat depots, including the novel index of periarterial adipose tissue (PAT): carotid artery extra media thickness (EMT). Methods and ResultsHigh and very high cardiovascular (CV) risk patients (n = 420; F/M: 34/66%; age: 61.2 ± 7years) with prior statin treatment (≥18 months) were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. All patients had a detailed assessment with several anthropometric measures and ultrasound indexes of fat depots indexed to BMI: abdominal (Intra-abdominal Fat Thickness; IAT and Pre-peritoneal Fat Thickness; PreFT), paracardial (Epicardial Fat Thickness; EFT and Pericardial Fat Thickness; PFT) and the new index corresponding to PAT (carotid EMT). Lipid goals attainment in the study group was as follows: 34% (LDL-C goal), 39% (non-HDL-C goal) and 35% (both LDL and non-HDL-C goals). Among ultrasound indexes, patients with both lipid goals attainment revealed significantly lower carotid EMT/BMI (LDL-C goal: 25.2 ± 4.2 vs 27.5 ± 4.1, p < 0.01 and non-HDL-C goal: 26.1 ± 4 vs 27.7 ± 4.2, p < 0.01) and IAT/BMI (LDL-C goal: 2.35 ± 0.66 vs 2.51 ± 0.71, p = 0.02 and non-HDL-C goal: p = ns) compared to individuals without goals achievement. Moreover, lipid goals attainment was associated with both measures: carotid EMT/BMI (LDL-C goal: r = −0.2, p < 0.05 and non-HDL-C goal: r = −0.2, p < 0.05) and IAT/BMI (LDL-C goal: r = −0.2, p < 0.05 and non-HDL-C goal: r = −0.2, p < 0.05). Multivariable regression analysis showed also independent association between carotid EMT/BMI and both goals achievement: LDL-C (p = 0.01) and non-HDL-C goal (p = 0.01). Other fat depots indexes (EFT, PFT and PreFT) failed to provide additional data. ConclusionContrary to overall obesity and most clinical measures of adiposity, carotid EMT and abdominal IAT, but not other ultrasound indexes of fat depots revealed associations independent from BMI with lipid goal attainment and may help identify patients requiring more aggressive lipid management.

A carotid extra-media thickness, PATIMA combined index and coronary artery disease: Comparison with well-established indexes of carotid artery and fat depots

BackgroundThe clinical utility of traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) is insufficient and limited. Our aim was to evaluate the association between a novel ultrasound index of periarterial fat and adventitia (carotid extra-media thickness; EMT) and the severity of CAD and to compare this with well-known vascular indexes in patients with high and very high CV risk. Methods and resultsFour hundred twenty two patients scheduled for elective coronary angiography were included in the study (age: 61.3 ± 7.4 years; males 65%). Several clinical parameters of obesity were obtained as well as the following ultrasound indexes: carotid EMT and intima-media thickness (IMT), epicardial and pericardial fat thickness (EFT and PFT), and intra-abdominal fat thickness (IAT). These were then related to CAD severity in all individuals. Our study patients had a very high estimated CV risk (82%), and most (60%) fulfilled the MS criteria. Most individuals (71%) had CAD (≥50% stenosis) with equal rates of one, two, or three-vessel disease, and critical (≥70%) coronary stenosis was found in 40% of patients. Carotid EMT was significantly increased in patients with CAD (812 ± 116 vs 746 ± 131 μm) and patients with critical coronary stenosis (829 ± 119 vs 769 ± 122 μm) compared to the appropriate control groups. Moreover, carotid EMT was significantly associated with the severity of CAD. Carotid IMT and EFT (but not PFT and IAT) also revealed significant relations to the number of diseased vessels. Carotid EMT and the new proposed combined index (PATIMA = EMT/BMIx35 + IMT + EFTx60) were predictive for CAD (AUC: 686 ± 304 and 755 ± 260, sensitivity: 60 and 62%, specificity: 76 and 81% for 772 μm and 2015u). ConclusionsWe present the first study showing that the new vascular index (carotid EMT) and the proposed combined index PATIMA are associated with the presence and the severity of CAD.

Extra-media thickness and epicardial fat: Comparison of a novel carotid artery ultrasound index and a well-established cardiac magnetic resonance fat quantification method

Background and AimEpicardial and pericardial fat are well-established surrogate markers of cardiovascular diseases and complications. Extra-media thickness (EMT) is a novel ultrasound index corresponding to arterial adventitia and adipose tissue. We aimed to evaluate the association between carotid EMT and epicardial fat (EF) and pericardial fat (PF) and their relation to cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods and ResultsOne hundred consecutive patients (age: 51.7 ± 15.4 years; males 70%) scheduled for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were prospectively included in the study. Anthropometric parameters, CMR indices of EF and PF, both common carotid arteries EMT, and ultrasound indices of visceral and subcutaneous fat were measured in patients. In our study group, 53% of patients represented a very high cardiovascular risk, overweight or obesity was found in 68%, high body fat in 45%, and MS in 59% of individuals. Mean EMT (662 ± 129 μm) was significantly associated with EF area (r = 0.46; p < 0.001) and PF area (r = 0.3; p < 0.001). Among all fat indices, only EMT (MS+ 736 ± 140 μm vs. MS-658 ± 97 μm; p = 0.002) and EF area (MS+ 870 ± 451 mm2 vs. MS 668 ± 333 mm2; p = 0.02) were significantly increased in patients with MS compared with individuals without MS. Multivariable regression analysis also showed that mean EMT is independently associated with number of cardiovascular risk factors (b = 0.005; p < 0.001). Moreover, very high cardiovascular risk subjects showed significantly increased EMT/BMI (p < 0.001) and EF area/BMI (p = 0.03) ratios. However, there was no significant association between EMT/BMI and EF area/BMI values (p = ns). ConclusionsOur study showed the first findings on the relations between a novel ultrasound index EMT and EF assessed in a reference method of CMR. Carotid EMT may be a new surrogate marker, including both periarterial fat as a major component and arterial adventitia, which may provide additional data on cardiometabolic risk beyond that derived form a well-established EF alone.

Pulsatility index in carotid arteries is increased in levothyroxine-treated Hashimoto disease.

The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate carotid hemodynamic variables and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in women with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). The study group consisted of 31 females with HT on levothyroxine (L-T4) and 26 euthyroid women with HT without L-T4 matched for age and body mass index (BMI) as controls. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), carotid extra-media thickness (CEMT), and pulsatility indexes in common carotid artery (PI CCA) and in internal carotid artery (PI ICA) were measured. BMI, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting glucose and insulin levels, and parameters of thyroid function [TSH, free thyroxine (FT4) and antithyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAbs)] were assessed. The study and the control groups did not differ in age, BMI, waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and insulin levels. Results are expressed as median (IQR). Treated HT group had higher FT4 levels than nontreated [17.13 (5.11) pmol/l vs. 14.7 (2.27) pmol/l; p=0.0011] and similar TSH [1.64 (2.08) IU/ml vs. 2.07 (3.14) IU/ml; p=0.5915]. PI CCA and PI ICA were higher in the study group than in controls (p=0.0224 and p=0.0477, respectively). The difference remained statistically significant for PI ICA and PI CCA after adjustment for other variables (coefficient=0.09487; standard error=0.04438; p=0.037 and coefficient=0.1786; standard error=0.0870; p=0.0449, respectively). CIMT and CEMT were similar in both groups (p=0.8746 and p=0.0712, respectively). Women with HT on L-T4 replacement therapy have increased PI in common and internal carotid arteries than nontreated euthyroid HT patients. Therefore, it seems that hypothyroidism, but not autoimmune thyroiditis per se, influences arterial stiffness.