Elevated Circulating Osteoprotegerin Levels in the Plasma of Hemodialyzed Patients With Severe Artery Calcification

We studied the correlations between circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) level and radial artery calcification (RAC) assessed histologically and carotid artery intima‐media thickness (CCA‐IMT). Moreover, we studied the relationship between OPG levels and all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality during a 5‐year observation period. The study comprised 59 CKD patients (36 hemodialyzed (HD), 23 predialysis). The biochemical parameters included: creatinine, calcium, phosphate, intact parathormone, C‐reactive protein, interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII), transforming growth factor‐β, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 23, osteonectin (ON), osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, and osteocalcin. CCA‐IMT and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques was assessed by ultrasound. Fragments of radial artery obtained during creation of HD access were prepared for microscopy and stained for calcifications with alizarin red. RAC was detected in 34 patients (58%). In multiple regression adjusted for dialysis status, TNFRII, ON and Framingham risk score (FRS) were identified as the independent predictors of OPG. Serum OPG above the median value of 7.55 pmol/L significantly predicted the presence of RAC in simple logistic regression (OR 5.33; 95%CI 1.39–20.4; P = 0.012) and in multiple logistic regression adjusted for FRS, dialysis status and CCA‐IMT values (OR 6.56; 95%CI 1.06–40.6; P = 0.036). OPG levels above the median were associated with higher CCA‐IMT values (1.02 ± 0.10 vs. 0.86 ± 0.13; P < 0.001) and predicted the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid artery (OR 14.4; 95%CI 2.84–72.9; P < 0.001), independently of FRS, dialysis status and RAC. In this study, elevated serum OPG levels correlated with higher CCA‐IMT, the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and the severity of the RAC independently of each other. During follow‐up, 25 patients (42%) died, including 21 due to CV causes. In multiple Cox regression, OPG above the median predicted overall survival independently of dialysis status, Framingham risk score, CCA‐IMT above the median value, and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in CCA, but not independently of RAC. We postulate that circulating OPG may play a dual role as a marker for both medial arterial calcification and atherosclerosis, hence it seems to be a valuable tool for assessing CV risk in patients with CKD. OPG might be an early indicator of all‐cause mortality in CKD patients with advanced medial arterial calcification.     

Carotid plaque compared with intima-media thickness as a predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular disease

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of most myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic strokes. B-mode ultrasound of carotid arteries provides measures of intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques, both widely used as surrogate measures of cardiovascular disease. Although IMT and plaques are highly inter-correlated, IMT’s role as a marker of atherosclerosis has been questioned, especially when measurements include the common carotid artery (CCA) only. Plaque and intima-media thickening may reflect different biological aspects of atherogenesis with distinctive relations to clinical vascular disease. Plaque measured in the carotid bulb or internal carotid artery is stronger related to hyperlipidemia and smoking and is a stronger predictor for MI, whereas CCA-IMT is stronger related to hypertension and ischemic stroke. Echolucent plaque morphology (ie, lipid-rich plaques) seems to increase the risk for MI and stroke. New evidence suggests that total plaque area is the most strongly predictive of cardiovascular risk of the ultrasound phenotypes.     

Rosiglitazone and carotid IMT progression rate in a mixed cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes and the insulin resistance syndrome: main results from the Rosiglitazone Atherosclerosis Study

Objective. Insulin resistance is associated with progression of atherosclerosis. We assessed the effect of 12 months of treatment with rosiglitazone (RSG) on the progression of carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS). Design. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting. Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. Subjects. 555 subjects (200 with T2DM and 355 nondiabetics with IRS according to EGIR criteria), aged 35–80 years. 447 subjects (165 T2DM and 282 IRS) completed the study. Intervention. Participants were allocated to placebo or RSG 4 mg for 2 months and then 8 mg daily. Main outcome measure. Change in composite IMT [mean IMT in the common carotid artery (CCA) and maximal IMT in the bulb] was the primary and various other IMT measures were secondary outcome variables. Results. There was no effect of RSG treatment in the mixed population. In T2DM patients there was a reduced progression of the composite IMT (mean change: 0.041 vs. 0.070 mm, P = 0.07), and of the mean IMT CCA (mean change: −0.005 mm vs. 0.021 mm, P = 0.007). RSG treatment led to significant reductions of HOMA-IR, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, PAI-1 activity, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Conclusions. In a mixed study population of patients with T2DM and IRS RSG treatment was not associated with a statistically significant reduction of carotid IMT progression rate. Separate analyses of these two patient groups indicated, however, a significant beneficial effect on CCA IMT in T2DM patients but no similar effect in subjects with IRS.     

Circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels in relation to sampling methods, femoral and carotid atherosclerosis

Objectives. To examine whether circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) were associated with ultrasound‐assessed intima‐media thickness (IMT) and echolucent plaques in the carotid and femoral arteries. To examine preanalytical sources of variability in MMP‐9 concentrations related to sampling procedures. Subjects and design. Plasma and serum MMP‐9 levels were compared with ultrasound assessed measures of femoral and carotid atherosclerosis, in a cross‐sectional study of 61‐year‐old men (n = 473). Preanalytical sources of variability in MMP‐9 levels were examined in 10 healthy subjects. Main outcome measures were circulating levels of MMP‐9 in serum and plasma, IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries, and plaque status based on size and echolucency. Setting. Research unit at university hospital. Results. Plasma concentrations of total and active MMP‐9 were associated with femoral artery IMT independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and were higher in subjects with moderate to large femoral plaques. Plasma MMP‐9 concentration was higher in men with echolucent femoral plaques (P = 0.006) compared with subjects without femoral plaques. No similar associations were found for carotid plaques. MMP‐9 concentrations were higher in serum than in plasma, and higher when sampling was performed with Vacutainer than with syringe. MMP‐9 levels in serum were more strongly associated with peripheral neutrophil count compared with MMP‐9 levels in plasma. Conclusions. Plasma MMP‐9 levels were associated with atherosclerosis in the femoral artery, and total MMP‐9 concentration was higher in men with echolucent femoral plaques. The choice of sample material and sampling method affect the measurements of circulating MMP‐9 levels.     

Association of carotid atherosclerosis with genetic polymorphisms of the klotho gene in patients with hypertension

Aim: Previous studies suggest that klotho gene polymorphisms may be associated with atherosclerosis, but did not assess the relationship between klotho gene polymorphisms and atherosclerosis parameters such as carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT). Here, we studied whether klotho single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: All subjects were Japanese. Eight‐hundred and fifty‐three patients with hypertension (465 men and 388 women) in the outpatient clinic and 1783 subjects from the general population (821 men and 962 women) attending health check‐ups were analyzed in the present study. We measured mean IMT of the common carotid artery to evaluate carotid atherosclerosis. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (rs7323281; intron1, rs5644481; exon4, rs3752472; exon3, rs650439; intron4) of klotho were selected as representative SNP in haplotype blocks. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted by confounding factors showed a significant association of rs650439 with carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients (TT vs TA vs AA, P < 0.01; TT + TA vs AA, P < 0.01). By ancova considering confounding factors, rs650439 was also significantly associated with mean IMT (TT + TA vs AA, P = 0.04) in the hypertensive population. However, there was no significant association between klotho SNP and carotid IMT in the general population. Compared to the general population, the subject group with hypertensive patients clearly had more atherosclerosis risk factors. Conclusion: Only in hypertensive patients was klotho rs650439 strongly associated with mean IMT thickening of the common carotid artery. Therefore, klotho SNP (rs650439) may influence on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010 ; 10: 311–318.     

Changing associations between progressive cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and carotid atherosclerosis with increasing duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus

To clarify associations between cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and the progression of carotid artery atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetic patients, cardiovascular autonomic nerve function was related to carotid artery ultrasound in 61 Type 2 diabetic patients, 5 and 8 years after the diagnosis of diabetes. Between 5 and 8 years after diagnosis, age-adjusted acceleration index (AI) decreased (from -0.306+/-1.034 to -0.702+/-1.072; P=.0139), whereas age-adjusted expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio was unchanged (-0.583+/-1.038 and -0.828+/-1.028; P=.1164). Intima-media thickness (IMT) increased in both the common carotid artery (CCA; from 0.854+/-0.219 to 0.913+/-0.241 mm; P<.0001) and the carotid bulb (from 1.789+/-0.714 to 2.128+/-0.881 mm; P<.0001), corresponding to a yearly IMT increase of 0.032+/-0.039 mm in the CCA and 0.146+/-0.204 mm in the carotid bulb. This value did not correlate with the AI or E/I ratios. In age-controlled partial correlation in the first examination, AI correlated inversely with mean (r=-.33, P=.018) IMT in the CCA, but not with IMT in the carotid bulb (r=-.14, P=.303). However, in contrast to the first examination, at follow-up, AI correlated inversely with the mean IMT of the carotid bulb (r=-.40, P=.007), lumen diameter of the CCA (r=-.31, P=.034), and plaque score (r=-.29, P=.041), but not with IMT of the CCA (r=-.04, P=.861). There were no correlations between the E/I ratio and carotid variables. In conclusion, CAN was associated with features of carotid atherosclerosis, which, in the carotid bulb, might affect baroreceptor function with the progression of Type 2 diabetes.     

Association between impaired glucose tolerance and carotid atherosclerosis: A study in 64-year-old women and a meta-analysis

Background and aimsImpaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is regarded as a transient metabolic state leading to type-2 diabetes, and is known to predict future risk of cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to investigate if IGT is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis.Methods and resultsIn a population-based cohort of 64-year-old women, a group with IGT determined by repeated oral glucose tolerance tests (n = 205) was compared with healthy women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 188). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaques in the common carotid arteries (CCA) and bulbs were measured by ultrasound. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference between the IGT and NGT groups was −0.03 to 0.03 mm. There was no difference in carotid bulb IMT or in the occurrence, size, and characteristics of plaques between the IGT and NGT groups. A meta-analysis was used to calculate summary measures of 12 reviewed studies showing a difference of 0.030 (95% CI 0.012–0.048) mm in carotid IMT between IGT and NGT groups. Heterogeneity in IMT differences between studies was shown.ConclusionsIn our population-based cohort of 64-year-old women, IGT was not associated with increased occurrence of subclinical atherosclerosis. However, a meta-analysis of 12 studies, including our current study, showed that IGT was associated with a small increase in the CCA IMT.     

Carotid and femoral atherosclerotic lesions in patients with coronary heart disease confirmed by angiography

INTRODUCTION: Clinically evident atherosclerosis is preceded by preclinical changes in the arterial wall. These changes are characterised by increased thickness of the intima-media complex (IMT). AIMS: A complex ultrasound assessment of the peripheral vessels as well as an attempt to find ultrasound parameters correlating with the burden of atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries. METHODS: 231 patients who underwent both coronary angiography and ultrasound examination of the following arteries: common carotid artery (CCA), carotid bulb and common femoral artery (CFA) were enrolled. The IMT value, presence of plaque and Doppler blood flow parameters were evaluated. Selected clinical and biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis were assessed. Two groups of patients were analysed: 200 patients with coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography (study group), and 31 patients with normal coronary arteries (control group). RESULTS: Significantly higher values of the IMT in the peripheral arteries were observed in patients with coronary artery lesions than in those without (CCA - 0.91 vs 0.61 mm, carotid bulb -- 1.31 vs 0.67 mm, CFA -- 1.38 vs 0.63 respectively, p<0.0001). Atherosclerotic plaques were present only in patients with coronary artery disease. Additionally, IMT values of the CCA, carotid bulb and CFA were significantly higher in patients with severe coronary artery disease (three vessel disease) than in patients with lesions in one or two coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with coronary lesions present with increased IMT values and higher plaque occurrence. Complex ultrasound evaluation of different peripheral arteries (CCA, carotid bulb and CFA) may be used as part of the cardiovascular risk stratification.     

颈动脉多普勒超声与心绞痛患者冠状动脉病变的关系

目的采用彩色多普勒超声仪分析心绞痛患者颈动脉病变,探讨其在冠状动脉病变中的临床诊断价值。方法选择因心绞痛行冠状动脉造影的住院患者328例,根据冠状动脉造影结果分为4组:对照组(80例)、单支病变组(102例)、2支病变组(62例)和多支病变组(84例)。用彩色多普勒超声仪测量颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(intimamediathickness,IMT)及颈动脉分叉处IMT,记录颈动脉斑块的位置、数量。结果与对照组比较,2支病变组分叉处IMT和斑块积分明显增高,多支病变组颈总动脉IMT、分叉处IMT和斑块积分明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。与对照组比较,多支病变组颈总动脉IMT增厚比例明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);与单支病变组比较,多支病变组颈总动脉IMT增厚比例明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。糖尿病是冠状动脉病变的主要危险因素(OR=2.8,95% CI:1.18～6.63)。结论颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变有相关性,采用彩色多普勒超声分析颈动脉病变情况,对冠心病患者具有较好的筛查及预测价值。     

Relation between insulin resistance and carotid intima‐media thickness and stenosis in non‐diabetic subjects. Results from a cross‐sectional study in Malmö, Sweden

Aims To assess whether there is an association between insulin resistance and carotid intima‐media thickness and stenosis in non‐diabetic subjects free from symptomatic cardiovascular disease. Methods A cross‐sectional population‐based study in Malmö, Sweden, of 4816 (40% men) subjects, born 1926–1945. The prevalence of insulin resistance was established by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and defined as values above the 75th percentile. Criteria issued by the European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR) were used for the definition of the insulin resistance syndrome. Common carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) and carotid stenosis (> 15%) were measured by B‐mode ultrasonography. Results Age and sex‐adjusted common carotid IMT among subjects with the insulin resistance syndrome (12.7%) and controls was 0.812 mm, respectively, 0.778 mm (P < 0.001). The prevalence of stenosis in the two groups was 22.9 and 19.2% (P = 0.040). Insulin resistance per se was after adjustment for age and sex associated with increased IMT (0.780 mm vs. 0.754 mm, P < 0.001). This association disappeared, however, when other factors included in the insulin resistance syndrome were taken into account. Conclusions Fasting serum insulin covaries with a number of factors and conditions known to influence the development of atherosclerosis. It is concluded that the association between insulin resistance, as assessed by the HOMA method in non‐diabetic subjects, and atherosclerosis is explained by its covariance with established risk factors for cardiovascular disease of which hypertension seems to be the most significant.     

Carotid atherosclerosis,intima media thickness and risk factors--an analysis of 1781 asymptomatic subjects in Taiwan

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque with risk factors for atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects in Taiwan. Between 1998 and 2001, the study recruited 1781 asymptomatic subjects (1131 men and 650 women [mean age, 49 years; range 18-85 years]). These were examined by B-mode ultrasound to measure the IMT at the far wall of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the extent of plaque formation. A wide range of vascular risk factors including age, gender, smoking, body mass index, blood chemistry, and previous history were surveyed. The mean (+/-S.D.) IMT observed was 0.68 (+/-0.12) and 0.66 (+/-0.11) mm for men and women, respectively, (P=0.0008). The mean (S.D.) IMT of the CCA was 0.66 (+/-0.12) mm on the right side and 0.68 (+/-0.12) mm on the left side (P=0.0004). IMT increased with aging, according to the equation IMT=(0.005xage in years)+0.403 [corrected]. Higher IMT was associated with male gender, and IMT was greater in the left CCA. About 36.9% of subjects had carotid plaques. The percentage of plaque increased with aging. The plaque prevalence was positively associated with IMT. The value of IMT over the cut point of 0.68 mm correlated with obviously increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis. Age, systolic blood pressure and fasting blood sugar were independent risk factors related to both carotid atherosclerosis and thick IMT.     

A dietary and exercise intervention slows menopause-associated progression of subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries

OBJECTIVES: The object of this study was to assess the effects of menopause and a diet/exercise intervention on subclinical atherosclerosis progression. BACKGROUND: Subclinical atherosclerosis has been linked to higher coronary heart disease and stroke rates and is greater among postmenopausal women according to cross-sectional analyses. Whether menopause is associated with an accelerated progression of subclinical disease is unknown, as is the extent to which lifestyle intervention can alter the course of progression. METHODS: Intima-media thickness (IMT) measures of the common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and bulb segments of the carotid arteries were measured twice during the course of 4 years in 353 women from the Women's Healthy Lifestyle Project, a dietary and exercise clinical trial designed to prevent adverse risk factor changes through the menopause. A third measure was obtained 2.5 years later for 113 women. RESULTS: The progression of IMT was observed for the average of all segments (AVG), the CCA, and the bulb (0.007 mm/year, 0.008 mm/year, and 0.012 mm/year; p < 0.01 for all), but not for the ICA. Among controls, menopause was associated with accelerated IMT progression (0.003 mm/year for premenopausal women vs. 0.008 mm/year for perimenopausal/postmenopausal women for AVG IMT; p = 0.049). Additionally, among the 160 perimenopausal/postmenopausal women, the intervention slowed IMT progression (0.008 mm/year for the control group vs. 0.004 mm/year for the intervention group for AVG IMT; p = 0.02). Similar results were found for the CCA and bulb segments. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the menopause transition is associated with accelerated subclinical atherosclerosis progression and that a diet/exercise intervention slows menopause-related atherosclerosis progression.     

Prehypertension is associated with atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes

Background: Prehypertension is a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between prehypertension and atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been evaluated. In the present study, we investigated the impact of prehypertension on atherosclerosis in T2DM. Methods: Patients (n = 930) with T2DM were recruited for the present study from the outpatient clinic of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. The intima–media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was determined using ultrasound and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was determined by volume plethysmography to assess atherosclerosis. Results: Of the 930 patients with T2DM (mean age of 59 years), 167 were categorized as normotensive, 213 were prehypertensive, and 550 were hypertensive. Diabetic subjects with prehypertension had significantly higher CCA‐IMT and baPWV than those with normal blood pressure after adjustment for age and gender. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, compared with normotension, prehypertension was a significant independent determinant of atherosclerosis (for maximum IMT ≥1.1 mm, odds ratio (OR) 2.10 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–3.44; for baPWV ≥1400 cm/s, OR 3.09 and 95% CI 1.78–5.36). Conclusion: Prehypertension is associated with atherosclerosis independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors in T2DM patients. We speculate that maintenance of systolic blood pressure <120 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <80 mmHg may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in T2DM.     

高血压合并2型糖尿病患者颈动脉硬化与基质金属蛋白酶-9和脂蛋白(a)的关系

目的探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)及脂蛋白-a[LP(a)]与高血压合并2型糖尿病(DM)患者颈动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法单纯高血压患者82例采用彩色超声仪进行颈动脉超声检查,检测颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度(IMT),采用ELISA法测定血清中MMP-9及LP(a)等指标;并以同样的方法观察高血压合并2型DM的患者86例辛伐他汀(10mg/d.次)治疗12周前后的上述指标。结果高血压合并2型DM的患者IMT值、斑块发生率、颈动脉斑块积分及MMP-9和LP(a)等值明显高于单纯高血压患者[IMT:(1.29±0.10vs0.96±0.15)mm;斑块发生率:(79.8%vs22.6%);颈动脉斑块积分:(6.0±0.4vs1.7±0.7);MMP-9:(649.1±51.0vs213.2±23.3)μg/L;LP(a):(2132.0±342.2vs765.4±154.1)mg/L(P<0.01)]。MMP-9及LP(a)与高血压合并2型DM的患者IMT值、颈动脉斑块发生率、斑块积分呈正相关,r值分别为(0.80、0.74、0.84、0.76、0.78、0.80,P<0.05)。经辛伐他汀治疗12周,MMP-9和LP(a)下降,颈动脉斑块有所消退。结论MMP-9及LP(a)在高血压合并2型糖尿病患者颈动脉粥样硬化发生发展过程中可能起重要作用。经辛伐他汀治疗,在MMP-9及LP(a)下降的同时颈动脉斑块有所消退。     

Carotid intima-media thickness: correlation with the British Regional Heart Study risk score

Abstract. Objectives . The thickness of the intima-media (IMT) layer of the common carotid artery is a marker of severe and extensive coronary artery disease and it has been reported that it is related to the presence of risk factors for atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the IMT correlates with the British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) risk score which identifies a large proportion of men who may experience a major ischaemic heart disease event within 5 years of initial screening. Subjects . High resolution ultrasonography was used to measure the thickness of the intima-media layer in 89 individuals. The BRHS risk score of these individuals was also recorded. Main outcome measures . Correlation between the carotid IMT and the BRHS score. Results . The IMT was linearly related to the BRHS score (r = 0.56; P < 0.001). There was a highly significant difference between the mean IMT in individuals with a risk score greater and those with a risk score lesser than the 80th percentile (P < 0.001). Conclusion . It is concluded that the IMT may be a useful surrogate end-point or biological marker of coronary artery disease and might be considered for use in prospective studies and clinical trials.     

Common carotid intima-media thickness and von Willebrand factor serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis female patients without cardiovascular risk factors

High atherosclerosis prevalence was found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the von Willebrand factor (vWF) was shown to be a marker for endothelial damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of intima-media thickness of the left common carotid artery with vWF serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients without cardiovascular risk factors. We included 55 RA female patients, each with at least 5 years of duration of the disease, and 20 healthy female subjects as members of the control group. The vWF, cholesterol, triglycerides, and the immune variables—rheumatoid factor and reactive C protein—were evaluated. The media thickness and intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients and in the control subjects were assessed by Doppler ultrasound of the left common carotid artery. Although the ages for RA patients and healthy female controls were not different, the IMT of the left common carotid artery (IMT CCA) in rheumatoid arthritis patients was increased in comparison with healthy control measurements, the mean being 0.67 mm (SD 0.18) vs 0.58 mm (SD 0.10) with a p value 0.01. The vWF serum levels showed differences in RA patients from those in control patients, 145.6 (SD 30.08) vs 121.8 (SD 37.17), respectively, with p=0.007. A correlation was also found between vWF with IMT CCA in the RA patients: r=0.390 and p<0.05. We concluded that the measurements of the left common carotid artery intima-media thickness together with the von Willebrand factor serum levels could give valuable information about the artery status and the atherosclerosis process in early stages in patients with rheumatoid arthritis without cardiovascular risk factors.     

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been shown to predict cardiovascular (CV) risk in multiple large studies. Careful evaluation of CIMT studies reveals discrepancies in the comprehensiveness with which CIMT is assessed—the number of carotid segments evaluated (common carotid artery [CCA], internal carotid artery [ICA], or the carotid bulb), the type of measurements made (mean or maximum of single measurements, mean of the mean, or mean of the maximum for multiple measurements), the number of imaging angles used, whether plaques were included in the intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement, the report of adjusted or unadjusted models, risk association versus risk prediction, and the arbitrary cutoff points for CIMT and for plaque to predict risk. Measuring the far wall of the CCA was shown to be the least variable method for assessing IMT. However, meta-analyses suggest that CCA-IMT alone only minimally improves predictive power beyond traditional risk factors, whereas inclusion of the carotid bulb and ICA-IMT improves prediction of both cardiac risk and stroke risk. Carotid plaque appears to be a more powerful predictor of CV risk compared with CIMT alone. Quantitative measures of plaques such as plaque number, plaque thickness, plaque area, and 3-dimensional assessment of plaque volume appear to be progressively more sensitive in predicting CV risk than mere assessment of plaque presence. Limited data show that plaque characteristics including plaque vascularity may improve CV disease risk stratification further. IMT measurement at the CCA, carotid bulb, and ICA that allows inclusion of plaque in the IMT measurement or CCA-IMT measurement along with plaque assessment in all carotid segments is emerging as the focus of carotid artery ultrasound imaging for CV risk prediction.     

冠心病病人冠状动脉与颈动脉粥样硬化相关分析

目的 探讨冠心病病人颈动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法 冠心病病人122例，经冠状动脉造影确诊，用颈动脉超声检测颈动脉内膜-中膜厚度（intima-media thickness，IMT）及粥样硬化程度。结果 病人病变冠状动脉支数分组间，IMT、颈动脉斑块积分和斑块发生率的差异有统计学意义。冠状动脉病变支数与IMT相关（r=0.73），与颈动脉斑块积分相关（r=0.67）。冠状动脉造影积分与IMT相关（r=0.69），与颈动脉斑块积分相关（r=0.68）。结论 冠心病病人颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化呈正相关，颈动脉病变可间接反映冠状动脉粥样硬化病变程度。     

Evaluation of subclinical atherosclerosis in Egyptian psoriatic patients

BackgroundPsoriasis (Ps) is a common, relapsing, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disorder of unknown etiology. Ps is not single organ disease confined to the skin but it is systematic inflammatory condition analogous to other inflammatory immune disorders which are known to have increased risk of heart disease. On other hand, inflammation plays also an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. So, there is striking similarity between molecular and inflammatory pathway in Ps and atherosclerosis.Aim of the workWas to assess the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with Ps by using carotid ultrasonography.Patients and Methods60 patients with Ps were enrolled in this study after exclusion of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In addition, 20 age and gender matched healthy persons served as controls. Patients were classified according to Ps area and severity index (PASI) score into group I (20 mild patients), group II (20 moderate) and group III (20 severe). The average common carotid artery (CCA) intima media thickness (IMT), internal diameter (ID) and arterial wall mass index (AWMI) were measured using high resolution B- mode ultrasound.ResultsPsoriatic patients showed statistically significant increase in CCA-IMT (P value 0.001), AWMI (P value 0.010) and significant decrease in ID (P value 0.001), as compared to controls.ConclusionPsoriasis patients could be suggested as a group with an increased atherosclerotic risk especially in older ages with longer duration of Ps. The carotid IMT, ID and AWMI can identify patients with subclinical atherosclerosis who need special follow up to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.     

Carotid intima-media thickness is slightly increased over time in HIV-1-infected patients

OBJECTIVES: HIV-infected patients are at risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In a 12-month follow-up study, we aimed to investigate changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis, and its determinants in HIV-1-infected patients. METHODS: Our multicentre prospective longitudinal cohort study included 346 HIV-infected patients, for each of whom two IMT measurements were taken by B-mode ultrasonography at baseline (M0) and 1 year later (M12). RESULTS: We observed a significant but moderate increase in the common carotid artery (CCA) median IMT, from 0.54 to 0.56 mm (P<10(-4)), i.e. an increase of 0.020 mm (95% confidence interval 0.012-0.029). There was a significant association between cross-sectional CCA IMT measures at M12 and conventional cardiovascular risk factors (higher CCA IMT with older age, P<10(-4); male gender, P=0.02; tobacco consumption, P=0.05), as well as higher CD4 cell count at M12 (>median 455 cells/microL, P=0.01). Only CD4 cell count at M0 was strongly and positively associated with the variation in IMT between M0 and M12 (P=4 x 10(-3)). IMT progression was +0.0020 mm for the lowest quartile of CD4 cell count distribution at M0, i.e. 3-253 cells/microL, +0.010 mm for 253-402 cells/microL, +0.043 mm for 402-590 cells/microL, and +0.028 mm for 590-2270 cells/microL. No association was found with type or duration of antiretroviral exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional cardiovascular risk factors are major determinants of IMT evolution. The link between immunological status and carotid IMT requires further study.