ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the frequency of abnormal Intima media thickness of Carotid artery in obese individuals by using color Doppler ultrasonography. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Radiology Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: From August 2011 to june 2012
Methodology: A total of 96 patients were enrolled in this study. LOGIC 5 Doppler ultrasound machine was used. B-mode ultrasonography of common carotid arteries was performed on both sides with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer. Intima media thickness was accessed in the distal wall of common carotid artery of both sides 1.0 cm proximal to carotid bulb
Results: Mean age of the patients was observed 50.1 +/- 5.9 years. Abnormal intima media thickness in right common carotid artery [RCCA] was found to be in 46 [47.9%] patients and in 45 [46.8%] patients in left common carotid artery [LCCA]. Mean values of intima-media thickness [IMTs], luminal diameters [LD] and flow velocity [FV] systolic and diastolic of right common carotid artery [RCCA] as follows, 0.74 +/- 0.17, 6.90 +/- 0.93, 78.91 +/- 17.03 and 21.50 +/- 5.67, respectively. Mean values of intima-media thickness [IMTs], luminal diameters [LD] and flow velocity [FV] systolic and diastolic of left common carotid artery [LCCA] as follows, 0.74 +/- 0.15, 6.85 +/- 0.72, 76.58 +/- 12.49 and 20.41 +/- 5.14, respectively
Conclusion: Carotid intima-media thickness testing by using Colour Doppler Ultrasonography is a powerful and noninvasive tool in the early detection of atherosclerotic plaques and carotid artery wall thickening and is an independent predictor of strokes and heart attacks