Associations between Carotid Artery Wall Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Using Multidetector CT

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:It has been demonstrated that the increase in CAWT is associated with an increased risk of stroke and its severity. The aim of this study was to determine whether CAWT evaluated by MDCTA is associated with the following cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and smoking.

Carotid Plaque Enhancement and Symptom Correlations: An Evaluation by Using Multidetector Row CT Angiography

“…The inclusion criteria for performing MDCTA in our institution have previously been published and are as follows: the presence of an US examination that showed a pathologic stenosis (NASCET stenosis of Ͼ50% or the presence of a blood flow velocity of Ͼ1.2 m/s) and/or a plaque alteration; or cases in which US cannot provide sufficient information about the degree of stenosis and plaque type-for example, in the presence of large calcified plaques with acoustic shadowing, high carotid bifurcation, or a thick neck (edema, obese patients). 20,21 "Plaque alteration," as visualized by US, was considered as the presence of a heterogeneous plaque, homogeneous soft plaque, an irregular surface, intraplaque hemorrhage, and/or the presence of ulceration in the plaque. In US analysis, we considered an "intraplaque hemorrhage" to be the presence of a plaque containing an echo-poor area.…”

Carotid Artery Wall Thickness Measured Using CT: Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement Analysis

“…[19][20][21] In our protocol for the analysis of carotid arteries, a basal scan was obtained and was followed by the angiographic phase in which 80 mL of contrast medium (iomeprol, Imeron 370; Bracco, Milan, Italy) was injected into a cubital vein, by using a power injector at a flow rate of 5 mL/s and an 18-ga intravenous catheter. A bolustracking technique was used to calculate the correct timing of the scan.…”

“…Magnification was freely modifiable, and the window level was preset according to Saba et al [19][20][21] Three measurements for each carotid artery were performed at the 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions in the distal common carotid artery, where no evidence of plaque was detected (Fig 1). We measured CAWT between the leading edge of the opacified lumen vessel and the external visible limit of the artery wall, where it was surrounded by adjacent adipose tissue.…”

“…[16][17][18] In 2008, MDCTA was proposed as a technique to study the CAWT, 19 and an excellent agreement with IMT 20 was demonstrated; moreover, a significant association between CAWT and classic cardiovascular risk factors was described. 21 However, until now, no reproducibility study has been proposed; the purpose of this article was to compare inter-and intraobserver agreement among 4 readers in the analysis of CAWT by using MDCTA.…”

High blood pressure tends to increase carotid intima-media thickness in adult females

“…The increase in ROS leads to decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and bioavailability, resulting in vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation. (5,8) An increase in carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) can be detected by noninvasive ultrasound (USG) techniques. The USG examination can evaluate the vessel wall structure, which has a characteristic double reflection with an intermediate hyperechoic zone, designated the intima media complex (IMC), and used as a parameter of atherosclerosis.…”