Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection.

Use of carotid intima-media thickness and vascular age to modify cardiovascular risk prediction.

Gepner AD, Keevil JG, Wyman RA, Korcarz CE, Aeschlimann SE, Busse KL, Stein JH

University of Wisconsin Atherosclerosis Imaging Research Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA.

BACKGROUND: This study identified predictors of patients for whom carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and determination of vascular age could change cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. METHODS: We studied consecutive patients who were asymptomatic and nondiabetic, referred for ultrasound measurement of CIMT. Individuals with CIMT 75th percentile or greater for age, sex, and race were defined as having advanced subclinical atherosclerosis. CIMT values were converted to vascular age estimates and were used to modify Framingham 10-year CVD risk estimates. RESULTS: Of 506 patients, 261 (51.6%) were not taking lipid-lowering therapy. Advanced subclinical atherosclerosis was present in 77 (30%). There were 62 patients (23.8%) with a change in CVD risk of 5% or more. Predictors of 5% or more change in CVD risk were systolic blood pressure (P < .001), total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P < .001), and male sex (P < .001). Of the 97 patients at moderate or moderately high risk, 56.7% changed risk classification. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of CIMT and determination of vascular age can identify individuals with advanced subclinical atherosclerosis, resulting in clinically meaningful alterations in CVD risk estimates.

Published 4 September 2006 in J Am Soc Echocardiogr, 19(9): 1170-4.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Ultrasound Research Today. All Rights Reserved.