Carotid intima-media thickness in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil): a narrative review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), as measured by ultrasound, has been used in large studies as a non-invasive marker for subclinical atherosclerosis. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a cohort of 15,105 civil servants in six Brazilian cities that included CIMT evaluation in its baseline assessment. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide an overview of ELSA-Brasil CIMT articles published up to July 31, 2017. DESIGN AND SETTING: Narrative review of ELSA-Brasil CIMT studies using baseline assessment data. METHODS: We searched PubMed for the terms “ELSA-Brasil” and “intima-media”. This search yielded 21 published articles using CIMT data from the ELSA-Brasil baseline assessment, which were included in this review. We also present information about intima-media thickness assessment from ongoing onsite reevaluations of the study participants. RESULTS: Most published studies focused on the association with traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors. Studies also presented information about the ELSA-Brasil CIMT protocol at baseline and CIMT value distribution in this large sample. CONCLUSIONS: Analyses on the ELSA-Brasil data led to important insights on CIMT interpretation and physiology. Besides the highlighted contributions which have already been made in this field, new data gathered during the ongoing third onsite assessment will enable investigation of substantially new research questions.

Nonlinear model for the carotid artery disease 10‐year risk prediction by fusing conventional cardiovascular factors to carotid ultrasound image phenotypes: A Japanese diabetes cohort study

“…However, our model can be useful for varying ethnicities and artery types, if the corresponding cIMT progression rates for CCA and male gender are known. We have surveyed and modeled eight different types of ethnicities and three artery types …”

Descriptive epidemiological study on patients with movement disorders, with emphasis on Parkinson’s disease

“…Epidemiological studies are widely reported in the literature, [1][2][3][4] and are extremely valuable for improving healthcare practices. Epidemiological information is an instrument for healthcare planning that informs guidelines and improvements.…”

Obesidade, saúde metabólica e sua associação com a espessura íntima-média carotídea e calcificação coronariana

“…Na análise da espessura íntima-média carotídeia (EIMC), incluímos todos os participantes do ELSA-Brasil que foram submetidos a este exame na linha de base do estudo e dos quais foram obtidas medidas válidas. Para medir a EIMC, cada artéria carótida comum (ACC) foi identificada ao longo do seu eixo longitudinal, usando brilho e contraste padrão 75 . A medida foi Métodos 25 realizada na parede posterior de um segmento predefinido da ACC de 1,0 cm de comprimento, a partir de 1,0 cm abaixo da bifurcação carotídea, durante três ciclos cardíacos, em área livre de placa aterosclerótica 76 (Figura 3).…”

“…A medida foi Métodos 25 realizada na parede posterior de um segmento predefinido da ACC de 1,0 cm de comprimento, a partir de 1,0 cm abaixo da bifurcação carotídea, durante três ciclos cardíacos, em área livre de placa aterosclerótica 76 (Figura 3). Os valores médios e máximos para cada ACC foram obtidos 75 .…”