Low Levels of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Are Associated With Echolucent Carotid Artery Plaques

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Ultrasound-assessed plaque morphology is an independent predictor of ischemic stroke. The purpose of this population-based cross-sectional nested case-control study was to examine the risk factors associated with carotid plaque morphology. Methods-Ultrasonography of the right carotid artery was conducted on 6727 participants in a population health survey (response rate 79%). Plaque echogenicity, defined as reflectance of the emitted ultrasound signal, was scored as echolucent, predominantly echolucent, predominantly echogenic, or echogenic. Information on cardiovascular risk factors in all 216 participants who had carotid stenosis and in 223 control subjects matched by age and sex who did not have carotid stenosis was obtained from measurements of blood pressure, weight, height, and nonfasting blood samples and from a self-administered questionnaire. Results-In both univariate and multivariate analyses, low levels of HDL cholesterol and increasing degree of stenosis were independently associated with an increased risk of having an echolucent plaque. For 1-SD increase in HDL cholesterol, the adjusted odds of being in a lower plaque echogenicity category decreased by Ϸ30% (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.93). Conclusions-These

Carotid Stenting without Use of Balloon Angioplasty and Distal Protection Devices: Preliminary Experience in 100 Cases

“…10,29,30 Although there is no strong evidence at present that supports the selection of patients for treatment based on sonography examination, it has been suggested that measurement of echolucency together with degree of stenosis may improve the selection of patients for surgical treatment.…”

“…Based on recent literature, the plaque morphology was classified into 4 grades. [10][11][12] Grades 1 and 2 were considered as high-risk plaque morphology; grade 3 was medium risk and grade 4 was low risk of stroke. All of the patients with a high-risk plaque were treated if stenosis was more than 50%.…”

Carotid Artery Stenting without Angioplasty and Cerebral Protection: A Single-Center Experience with up to 7 Years' Follow-Up

“…The morphology of plaque was assessed by US; the plaque morphology was classified into 4 grades [13][14][15] : Grades 1 and 2 were considered high-risk-morphology plaque, grade 3 was medium risk, and grade 4 was low risk of stroke. All patients with a high-risk-morphology plaque were treated if stenosis was Ͼ50%.…”

Association of endogenous testosterone with blood pressure and left ventricular mass in men. The Tromso Study

“…All subjects aged 55 to 74 years, random 5% samples of subjects in other age groups up to age 84 years, as well as 308 men aged 40 to 54 years (selected on the basis of high total cholesterol and/or low high density lipoprotein cholesterol) were invited to a second visit for more extensive examinations. A total of 6891 subjects (3393 men) attended the second visit, representing 79% of the eligible population (11). Serum samples were drawn for future analysis of sex hormones in a random sample of 1605 men, and echocardiography was performed in 1316 of them.…”