高血压患者趾臂指数、肱踝脉搏波传导速度及踝臂指数在下肢动脉疾病诊断中的临床价值

目的探讨高血压(HBP)患者趾臂指数(TBI)、肱-踝脉搏波传导速度(ba PWV)、踝臂指数(ABI)在下肢动脉疾病(LEAD)检测中的应用。方法将73例HBP患者根据下肢动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)分为2组:正常组41例,IMT≤1 mm;病变组32例,IMT1 mm。分别测定2组患者的身高、体质量、血脂、ba PWV、ABI、TBI及下肢动脉超声。结果病变组年龄大于正常组(P0.01)。与正常组比较,病变组ba PWV增快(P0.01),TBI下降(P0.01)。相关分析显示ABI与TBI正相关(P0.01),ba PWV与年龄正相关(P0.01)。ROC曲线显示当HBP患者ba PWV1686.75 cm/s或TBI0.725时,就有可能伴有LEAD。结论 HBP患者ABI正常时仍应进一步行TBI检测进一步明确有无LEAD。ba PWV1686.75 cm/s或TBI0.725的HBP患者可能伴有LEAD。     

高胆固醇血症患者踝臂指数与颈动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的 探讨高胆固醇血症患者踝臂指数(ABI)与颈动脉粥样硬化(CAS)的相关性.方法 选择243例高胆固醇(TC≥5.18 mmol/L)患者,收集相关临床资料,并测量踝臂指数(ABI,＜0.9为异常)及颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT).根据IMT分为颈动脉粥样硬化(AS)组135例和非AS组108例,比较两组ABI和ABI降低发生率;将AS组患者根据ABI分为ABI正常组65例和ABI异常组60例,比较两组IMT,分析ABI)与颈动脉粥样硬化(CAS)的相关性.结果 AS组、非AS组ABI分别为0.89 ±0.66、0.91 ±0.57,分别有86例(64％)和40例(37％)患者ABI减低,AS组ABI低于非AS组,ABI减低发生率高于非AS组(P均＜0.05).AS组ABI异常者IMT明显高于ABI正常者4(P＜0.05).直线相关性分析显示ABI与IMT呈负相关(r=-0.435,P均＜0.05).结论 高胆固醇血症伴颈动脉粥样硬化患者ABI明显减低,ABI与IMT呈负相关.     

社区老年人群脉搏波传导速度与颈动脉粥样硬化关系研究

目的研究臂踝脉搏波传导速度(ba PWV)与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)的关系及对社区老年人群心脑血管事件的预测作用。方法 2005年从北京地区干休所选定725例老年人,填写调查表,测量ba PWV及颈动脉CIMT,2010年再次调查上述人群,重测ba PWV及CIMT,应用统计学方法探讨臂踝脉搏波传导速度与CIMT的关系,影响颈动脉粥样硬化的危险因素及对社区老年人群心脑血管事件的影响。结果右侧ba PWV增高组,右侧颈总动脉IMT厚度增加;在颈动脉粥样硬化组中男性、5年前吸烟及右侧ba PWV≥1700cm/s的人群比例高,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05);右侧颈动脉IMT增高对全因死亡及复合心脑血管事件的预测有一定意义。结论右侧ba PWV与右侧颈总动脉IMT厚度有一定关系,男性、吸烟对颈动脉粥样硬化影响大。     

老年高血压患者肾功能与动脉硬化指标的相关性

目的探讨老年高血压患者肾功能与动脉硬化指标的相关性。方法 88例老年高血压患者进行无创性动脉硬化监测和生化指标测定,分别按臂踝脉搏波传导速度(ba PWV)和踝臂指数(ABI)分为两组:ba PWV增高组和ba PWV正常组;ABI低值组和ABI正常组。结果与ba PWV正常组相比,ba PWV增高组肌酐清除率(Ccr)明显减小,而尿白蛋白/肌酐比值(UACR)明显增大(P0.05)。同样,ABI低值组Ccr明显小于ABI正常组,而UACR明显大于ABI正常组(P0.05)。相关分析显示,老年高血压患者ba PWV与UACR呈显著正相关(r=0.21,P0.05),而与Ccr呈负相关(r=-0.27,P0.05)。ABI与UACR呈显著负相关(r=-0.34,P0.05),而与Ccr呈正相关(r=0.19,P0.05)。结论高ba PWV、低ABI与高血压肾病相关,对于早期发现老年高血压患者肾损害具有重要意义。     

中药降压宝对中老年原发性高血压患者动脉硬化的影响

目的观察中药降压宝对原发性高血压患者颈-股脉搏波传导(cf PWV)、踝臂指数(ABI)、颈动脉超声的影响。方法1 000例原发性高血压患者以服用中药累计时间42个月(中医累计治疗时间)为节点分为强暴露和弱暴露组,以服药时间对靶器官损害情况进行分析。观察两组患者cf PWV、ABI、颈动脉斑块的变化。结果强暴露组和弱暴露组比较,cf PWV、ABI差异无统计学意义(P0.05),但弱暴露组较强暴露组易发生颈动脉斑块(HR=1.24,P0.05)。结论中药降压宝可明显降低原发性高血压患者颈动脉斑块的发生率,减缓原发性高血压动脉硬化的发生发展。     

不同他汀类药物对高血压并高脂血症患者动脉早期病变的影响

目的探讨瑞舒伐他汀、辛伐他汀对高血压合并高脂血症患者踝臂指数(ABI)、脉搏波传导速度(PWV)、颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)的影响。方法选择高血压合并血脂异常患者130例,随机分为瑞舒伐他汀组(瑞舒伐他汀10mg/d)、辛伐他汀组(辛伐他汀40mg/d),比较两组在服药后3个月、6个月、9个月ABI、PWV、颈动脉IMT以及血脂水平的差异。结果两组总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)治疗后较治疗前明显下降,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)上升(P<0.05);瑞舒伐他汀组TC、LDL-C随治疗时间延长仍有明显下降,HDL-C出现明显上升(P<0.05);辛伐他汀组在治疗3个月TC、TG、LDL-C下降,然而不随治疗时间的延长进一步下降,治疗9个月HDL-C升高,两组间比较瑞舒伐他汀在降低TC、LDL-C、升高HDL-C方面明显优于辛伐他汀(P<0.05)。瑞舒伐他汀组和辛伐他汀组ABI、PWV、颈动脉IMT在治疗9个后较治疗前均有明显改善,两组间比较瑞舒伐他汀组在升高ABI和降低颈动脉IMT方面优于辛伐他汀(P<0.05)。结论瑞舒伐他汀和辛伐他汀均能减轻高血压患者动脉硬化及控制血脂,瑞舒伐他汀的作用明显优于辛伐他汀。     

冠状动脉粥样硬化无创检测临床分析

目的通过对比冠状动脉造影术(PCI)与踝臂指数(ABI)、颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)及动脉脉搏波传导速度(PWV),评估冠状动脉(冠脉)粥样硬化情况,找到发现冠脉粥样硬化的无创手段。方法回顾分析2011年8月~2013年6月在上海市同济医院心血管内科实行PCI术的118例冠状动脉粥样硬化患者的资料,以PWV、ABI、IMT作为评估方法。通过受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线、GAS积分多元回归分析,比较三种无创检测方式对于冠脉病变的诊断作用。结果在研究的四组对象中[正常组(n=52)、单支病变组(n=24)、双支病变组(n=23)及三支病变组(n=19)],临床资料无显著差异,四组的ABI、IMT及PWV值与正常组相比均具有统计学意义。GAS积分多元回归分析结果显示,在ABI、IMT和PWV三项检测指标中,仅IMT对GAS积分的影响存在显著性差异(P0.05),其余两项均未见显著性差异。颈动脉ABI、IMT、PWV预测冠心病存在的ROC曲线下面积分别为:0.421、0.626、0.378,提示颈动脉IMT有预测价值,而ABI和PWV则意义不大。结论研究发现,IMT联合多种无创检测手段,作为一种新的早期诊断冠心病方法有待进一步完善。     

高血压患者各节段动脉弹性功能的相关性及影响因素分析

目的:探讨脉搏波传导速度(PWV)包括肱踝脉搏波传导速度(baPWV)、颈股脉搏波传导速度(cfPWV)、颈肱脉搏波传导速度(cbPWV)及股踝脉搏波传导速度(faPWV)、大动脉弹性指数(C1)、小动脉弹性指数(C2)、踝臂指数(ABI)的相关性及影响因素.方法:入选对象140例,其中单纯高血压患者102例(高血压组),血压正常者38例(正常血压组),采用BP-203RPE Ⅱ(VP-1000)动脉硬化测定仪测定2组各个节段PWV及ABI,采用CVProfilor DO-2020动脉功能测定仪测定C1、C2.分析动脉弹性的其他指标与cfPWV的相关性.结果:①高血压组各个动脉节段PWV及ABI显著高于正常血压组(P＜0.01),而C1、C2显著低于正常血压组(P＜0.05).②各个动脉节段PWV与cfPWV均呈显著正相关(P＜0.01),但cbPWV及baPWV与cfPWV相关性最强(r值分别为0.792和0.703,P<0.01),C1、C2与cfPWV显著负相关(P＜0.01);ABI与cfPWV呈正相关(P＜0.05).③年龄和血压是脉弹性功能各指标的共同影响因素.年龄每增加10岁,cfPWV、baPWV、cbPWV、faPWV升高的危险性增加180.3%、347.4%、131.3%、69.0%,C1、C2下降的危险性增加116.0%、219.6%;SBP每升高10 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),cfPWV、baPWV、faPWV升高的危险性增加141.3%、218.8%、50.9%,C1、C2下降的危险性增加169.3%、67.9%;DBP每升高5 mmHg,cbPWV升高的危险性增加124.6%,ABI升高的危险性增加37.8%.结论:baPWV是一个简单、敏感的便于临床测量PWV的方法;年龄及SBP、DBP是中心动脉及外周动脉弹性功能的主要影响因素.     

颈动脉内中膜厚度及踝臂指数对冠心病的预测价值

目的探讨颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)及踝臂指数(ABI)对冠心病的预测价值。方法选择132例疑似冠心病患者,根据冠状动脉造影结果分为冠心病组(85例)和非冠心病组(47例),冠心病组又分为单支病变组37例、双支病变组26例、多支病变组22例,应用超声测量颈动脉IMT、采用全自动动脉硬化检测仪检测ABI,分析比较不同病变程度下颈动脉IMT及ABI,应用ROC曲线判定IMT及ABI对冠心病预测的敏感性和特异性。结果颈动脉IMT多支病变组高于双支病变组,双支病变组高于单支病变组,单支病变组高于非冠心病组,组与组之间数据比较,P<0.05。ABI多支病变组高于双支病变组,双支病变组高于单支及非冠心病组,组与组之间数据比较,P<0.05,而单支病变组与非冠心病组ABI比较无统计学意义。ROC曲线提示:颈动脉IMT、ABI预测冠心病存在的ROC曲线下面积分别为:0.68、0.14,提示颈动脉IMT对冠心病有一定的预测价值,而ABI则意义不大。颈动脉IMT诊断切点值1.09mm,诊断敏感性52.3%,特异性78.9%。结论颈动脉IMT及ABI与冠心病均相关,颈动脉IMT更能早期反映冠状动脉病变,且颈动脉IMT≥1.09mm对预测冠心病有一定临床意义。     

脉压增大的高血压患者脉搏波传导速度、颈动脉内膜中层厚度和踝臂指数的检测现状

目的了解脉压增大(脉压≥50 mm Hg,1mm Hg=0.133k Pa)的高血压患者脉搏波传导速度(PWV)、颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)和踝臂指数的检测现状。方法 2011年4月至2012年9月,选取中国北部、南部和西部的96个大、中、小城市的709家医院进行的大型横断面调查。入选脉压增大(脉压≥50 mm Hg)的高血压患者36259例。根据患者的血压水平、危险因素数量、靶器官损害和心血管疾患分为低危、中危、高危和很高危。根据脉压分为50~60 mm Hg,60~70 mm Hg和≥70 mm Hg三层。询问病史(心血管病、脑血管病、肾脏病和糖尿病史)、吸烟史;记录PWV、IMT和踝臂指数的检查情况。现场测量血压、身高、体重、腰围。结果患者IMT、PWV和踝臂指数的检查率分别为20.7%、8.8%和7.8%,即未做IMT、PWV和踝臂指数检查的患者分别为79.3%、91.2%和92.2%。进一步分析,在检查的患者中,IMT(≥0.9 mm和粥样斑块)、PWV(12 ms)和踝臂指数(≤0.9)异常的检出率分别为65.7%、40.9%和47.4%。IMT、PWV和踝臂指数异常的检出率在高危患者中分别为86.8%、68.5%和22.9%,在很高危患者中分别为66.1%、40.2%和48.2%。脉压50~60 mm Hg,60~70 mm Hg和≥70 mm Hg组的IMT异常的检出率分别是39.3%,66.6%和80.7%;PWV异常的检出率分别是24.6%,43.0%和59.0%。结论我国城市中,脉压增大(≥50 mm Hg)的高血压患者血管病变相关项目的检测率低。     

Relationships between vascular indexes and atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The relationships of cardio-ankle vascular index, (a new indicator of arterial stiffness), common carotid artery intima-media thickness, and ankle-brachial pressure index with atherosclerotic risk factors were compared in patients with type 2 diabetes. There were significant correlations between each pair of the above vascular indexes. Both cardio-ankle vascular index and intima-media thickness showed significant correlations with age, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and serum total cholesterol. Ankle-brachial pressure index showed a significant negative correlation with pulse pressure but not with systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol. Logistic regression analysis showed that cardio-ankle vascular index and intima-media thickness were associated with systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure independently of age. These results suggest that there are significant associations among the 3 vascular indexes and that systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure are major, age-independent determinants of cardio-ankle vascular index and common carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with diabetes.     

Different effects of atherogenic lipoproteins and blood pressure on arterial structure and function: the Bogalusa Heart Study

Differential impact of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and blood pressure on arterial wall thickness and stiffness was examined in 900 black and white adults aged 24-43 years. Blacks compared with whites had greater values of pulse wave velocity (5.4 m/sec vs. 5.2 m/sec; p<0.01) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (0.83 mm vs. 0.80 mm; p<0.01). Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly associated with carotid intima-media thickness (standardized regression coefficient [b]=0.21; p<0.01), but not with pulse wave velocity (b=0.03; p=0.37), after adjusting for race, sex, age, body mass index, insulin, glucose, and smoking. Systolic blood pressure was associated significantly stronger with pulse wave velocity (b=0.36; p<0.01) than with carotid intima-media thickness (b=0.15; p<0.01). No race difference in these relationships was found. The results of this study indicate that atherogenic lipoproteins and blood pressure may play different roles in the development of arterial wall stiffness and atherosclerosis.     

Carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with and without coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity are non-invasive markers of atherosclerosis and have been shown to reliably predict presence and extent of atherosclerotic vascular disease. However, studies examining their association with each other have shown inconsistent results. Hence it was sought to assess correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity in patients with and without coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-four patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease and 84 age-matched individuals without coronary artery disease but having one or more conventional cardiovascular risk factors were included in the study. Individuals with established cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease were excluded from the study. Carotid intima-media thickness of far wall was measured at three predefined sites (distal common carotid, carotid bifurcation and proximal internal carotid artery) on each side. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was measured non-invasively using VP 1000 (Colin Corporation) automated ABI/ PWV analyzer. There was no significant difference in gender and presence of cardiovascular risk factors in the two groups. Mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were all significantly higher in coronary artery disease patients as compared to patients without coronary artery disease (0.842 v. ( 0.657 mm, p <0.0001; 1.076 v. 0.795 mm, p <0.0001; 1708.63 v. 1547.26 cm/s, p <0.0004 respectively). There was a significant correlation between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and both mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness in patients with coronary artery disease (r = 0.47, p <0.0001 and r=0.41, p < 0.0008 respectively) but not in individuals without coronary artery disease (r=0.01 and -0.1 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of significant correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with coronary artery disease but absence of the same in individuals without major atherosclerotic vascular disease suggests that the correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity becomes stronger with increasing extent of atherosclerosis.     

Carotid remodeling in essential hypertension: role of blood pressure, indexed parameters, and association with cardiac mass and aortic stiffness

The role of blood pressure on carotid remodeling, using no indexed and indexed parameters, was studied in essential hypertension. Carotid parameters were also compared to cardiac mass and aortic stiffness. Forty untreated hypertensive men had echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography and carotidfemoral pulse wave velocity measurements. Cross-sectional area index was associated essentially with the 24-hour systolic blood pressure whereas intima-media thickness was related especially to the 24-hour pulse pressure. Carotid intima-media thickness and cross-sectional area indexes were less related to blood pressure variables than non-indexed parameters. There is an independent association between 24-hour pulse pressure and left ventricular mass index and pulse wave velocity. To conclude, blood pressure, particularly pulse pressure, is associated with vascular and cardiac alterations. The indexation by the body surface area do not provide any additional information in the association between carotid and blood pressure parameters.     

The prevalence of atherosclerosis in cirrhotic patients: assessment of two aspects of atherosis and sclerosis

Aim: In general, cirrhotic patients are known to have a low prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Cirrhosis is often accompanied by diabetes mellitus, while blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels are low in liver cirrhosis. We examined the atherosclerosis of patients with chronic liver disease by two phases of atherosis "lipid deposition" and sclerosis "arterial fibrosis." Methods: Atherosis was assessed by carotid intima-media thickness and the ratio of the systolic blood pressure at the ankle to the average systolic blood pressure at the right arm (ankle brachial pressure index), while sclerosis was evaluated by brachial ankle pulse wave velocity. Results: There were no significant differences in intima-media thickness and ankle brachial index among grades of cirrhosis. Brachial ankle pulse wave velocity decreased closely as the severity of cirrhosis progressed (F = 4.90, P < 0.05). In univariate analysis, brachial ankle pulse wave velocity was correlated with systolic blood pressure, age, total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 min, blood ammonia, branched chain amino acids/tyrosine molar rate and fasting blood sugar. Multiple regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure and total bilirubin were independent factors for the inhibition of vascular sclerosis progression. Conclusion: Although no difference in atherosis between cirrhotic patients and healthy controls was found, vascular sclerosis was decreased with the severity of cirrhosis through hypotension and hyperbilirubinemia.     

CAROTID REMODELING IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION: ROLE OF BLOOD PRESSURE,INDEXED PARAMETERS,AND ASSOCIATION WITH CARDIAC MASS AND AORTIC STIFFNESS

The role of blood pressure on carotid remodeling, using no indexed and indexed parameters, was studied in essential hypertension. Carotid parameters were also compared to cardiac mass and aortic stiffness. Forty untreated hypertensive men had echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity measurements. Cross-sectional area index was associated essentially with the 24-hour systolic blood pressure whereas intima-media thickness was related especially to the 24-hour pulse pressure. Carotid intima-media thickness and cross-sectional area indexes were less related to blood pressure variables than non-indexed parameters. There is an independent association between 24-hour pulse pressure and left ventricular mass index and pulse wave velocity. To conclude, blood pressure, particularly pulse pressure, is associated with vascular and cardiac alterations. The indexation by the body surface area do not provide any additional information in the association between carotid and blood pressure parameters.     

2型糖尿病患者颈动脉内中膜厚度、脉搏波传导速度及踝肱血压比的测定及其意义

测定60例糖尿病患者的颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)、脉搏波传导速度(PWV)及踝肱血压比(ABI)。结果提示:(1)收缩压、脉压和空腹血糖是动脉粥样硬化的危险因素;(2)收缩压、脉压、空腹血糖和LDL-C是大动脉弹性降低的危险因素。     

2型糖尿病患者颈动脉硬化斑块形成的相关因素分析

目的 探讨2型糖尿病患者颈动脉硬化斑块形成的相关因素.方法 123例2型糖尿病患者,根据颈动脉彩色超声结果分为颈动脉无硬化斑块组、颈动脉硬化斑块组,分别检测各组血清C反应蛋白、空腹血糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血浆致动脉硬化指数、血尿酸、血肌酐,并记录年龄、糖尿病病程、体重指数、收缩压、舒张压、脉压差、吸烟史、高血压史、微血管并发症、颈动脉内膜厚度等指标,进行统计学处理.结果 颈动脉硬化斑块组中年龄(P<0.01)、C反应蛋白(P<0.05)、颈动脉内膜厚度(P<0.01)以及微血管并发症发生率(P<0.05)均比颈动脉无硬化斑块组显著增高,差别均有统计学意义.Logistic回归分析显示,颈动脉内膜厚度与颈动脉硬化斑块形成独立相关(P<0.05).结论 2型糖尿病患者颈动脉硬化斑块形成与颈动脉内膜厚度、年龄、C反应蛋白等多因素有关,颈动脉内膜厚度增加是颈动脉硬化斑块形成的危险因素,颈动脉硬化斑块形成的同时微血管并发症的发生率增加.     

Cardiac and vascular consequences of pre-hypertension in youth

Hypertension is associated with increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), which predict cardiovascular (CV) events in adults. Whether target organ damage is found in pre-hypertensive youth is not known. The authors measured body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, lipids and C-reactive protein, LVM/height(2.7) (LVM index), diastolic function, cIMT, carotid stiffness, augmentation index, brachial artery distensibility, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 723 patients aged 10 to 23 years (29% with type 2 diabetes mellitus). Patients were stratified by blood pressure level (normotensive: 531, pre-hypertensive: 65, hypertensive: 127). Adiposity and CV risk factors worsened across blood pressure group. There was a graded increase in cIMT, arterial stiffness, and LVM index and decrease in diastolic function from normotension to pre-hypertension to hypertension. In multivariable models adjusted for CV risk factors, status as pre-hypertension or hypertension remained an independent determinant of target organ damage for LVM, diastolic function, internal cIMT, and carotid and arterial stiffness. Pre-hypertension is associated with cardiovascular target organ damage in adolescents and young adults.     

Grosor íntima-media carotídeo en población española: valores de referencia y asociación con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular

Introduction and objectives

Carotid intima-media thickness as measured with ultrasonography is an inexpensive and noninvasive predictor of cardiovascular events. The objectives of this study were to determine the population reference ranges of carotid intima-media thickness for individuals aged 35-84 years in Spain and to analyze the association of carotid intima-media thickness with cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, diabetes, pulse pressure, lipid profile, and body mass index).

Methods

Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Gerona (Spain). We described the mean and maximal values of carotid intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and of its 3 segments (common carotid, carotid bulb and internal carotid). We assessed cardiovascular risk factors and analyzed their association with carotid intima-media thickness using adjusted linear regression models.

Results

A total of 3161 individuals (54% women) were included, with mean age 58 years. Men showed significantly higher mean common carotid intima-media thickness than did women (0.71 vs 0.67 mm). The strongest predictors of this measure were age (coefficients for 10-year increase: 0.65 and 0.58 for women and men, respectively), smoking in men (coefficient: 0.26), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women (coefficient for 10 mg/dL, increase: −0.08) and pulse pressure in both sexes (coefficients for 10 mmHg increase: 0.08 and 0.23 for women and men, respectively). The results were similar for the mean carotid intima-media thickness of all the segments.

Conclusions

This population-based study presents the reference ranges for carotid intima-media thickness in the Spanish population. The main determinants of carotid intima-media thickness were age and pulse pressure in both sexes.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org