ABSTRACT
This study investigated subclinical atherosclerosis progression in low-risk, middle-aged adults (N = 141; a mean age of 49.6 ± 4.7 years) using a 5-year ultrasound follow-up. We compared the involvement of the carotid and femoral arteries. METHODS: Clinical data, risk factors, carotid/femoral intima-media thickness (IMT), and plaque presence were analyzed. RESULTS: Cardiovascular risk factors and scores increased significantly at follow-up. Both carotid and femoral mean IMT increased (p < 0.001). While plaque prevalence rose and was similar in both arteries (carotid: 4.8% to 17.9%, femoral: 3.6% to 17.7%, p < 0.001 for both), the progression of plaque burden was greater in femorals. Notably, the carotid mean IMT demonstrated a faster yearly progression rate compared to the mean femoral IMT. The prevalence of pathological nomogram-based mean IMT right or left was higher in the carotids (52.9% to 78.8%, p < 0.001) compared to femorals (23.2% to 44.7%, p < 0.001), with a significant increase at the end of follow-up in both territories. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates significant subclinical atherosclerosis progression in low-risk, middle-aged adults over 5 years. Carotid arteries showed a faster progression rate of mean IMT and a higher prevalence of pathological nomogram-based mean IMT compared to the femoral arteries. However, plaque burden was similar in both territories, with greater progression in femorals. Identifying carotid and femoral atherosclerosis burden may be a valuable tool for risk stratification in this population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Several markers have been proposed for the detection and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to analyse the impact of classical risk factors on the presence and short-term progression of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in a non-diabetic, primary prevention cohort. Methods: This analysis included participants with completed visits at baseline and at 5-year follow-up (N = 141; 56.7% females, 43.3% males; aged 49.6 ± 4.7 years). Clinical and laboratory parameters, risk profiles, carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque presence were analysed. Results: There was a significant progression in mean CIMT (0.54 ± 0.09 mm-0.62 ± 0.10 mm; p < 0.001), prevalence of carotid plaque (4.8%-17.9%; p < 0.001) and age- and sex-adjusted abnormal CIMT (52.9%-78.8%; p < 0.001) at the end of follow-up, compared to baseline. In multivariate regression analysis, among the classical risk factors, their number, metabolic syndrome and SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation) risk only the number of risk factors showed an independent and significant impact on the occurrence of a carotid plaque (Exp(B) = 1.71; p = 0.017) and 5-year CIMT progression. Conclusions: During a short follow-up, the significant progression of subclinical atherosclerosis was confirmed. The number of risk factors predicted the occurrence of carotid plaques and CIMT progression. The high prevalence and short-term progression of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis underly the rationale for its screening in personalized cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic middle-aged subjects over 50 years old, at low-to moderate cardiovascular risk, particularly with several risk factors.
ABSTRACT
Microalbuminuria is closely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the general population. Less is known about its relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to assess the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its relationship with subclinical atherosclerosis in middle-aged, nondiabetic, apparently healthy individuals (N = 187; 40.1% men, 59.9% women; aged 35-55 years) as well as to evaluate its potential associations with established risk modifiers, especially with the presence of carotid plaque. Clinical and laboratory parameters, the estimated 10-year fatal cardiovascular risk (SCORE), as well as circulating, functional (flow mediated vasodilation, ankle-brachial index, augmentation index, and pulse wave velocity), and morphological markers (mean carotid intima-media thickness, and carotid plaque) of subclinical atherosclerosis were analysed in group with vs. without microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria was present in 3.8% of individuals with SCORE risk 0.43 ± 0.79%. Functional markers predominated in both groups. Carotid intima-media thickness (mean ± SD) in both groups was in range: 0.5-0.55 ± 0.09-0.14 mm. Carotid plaque was more frequent in group with (14.3%) vs. without (4.4%) microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria had no statistically significant effect on most markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, but the increasing value of microalbuminuria was significantly associated with the occurrence of carotid plaque (p = 0.035; OR = 1.035; 95% CI = 1.002-1.07). Additional multiple logistic regression analysis, where variables belonged to microalbuminuria, number of risk factors, and family history, finally showed only two variables: microalbuminuria (p = 0.034; OR = 1.04; 95%CI = 1.003-1.09) and the number of risk factors (p = 0.006; OR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.24-3.73) with independent and significant impact on the occurrence of carotid plaque. Our results may indicate an association of microalbuminuria with the presence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque; in addition, microalbuminuria and the number of risk factors appear to be possible predictors of the carotid plaque occurrence. Monitoring microalbuminuria may improve the personalized cardiovascular risk assessment in nondiabetic, low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk individuals with or without hypertension.