Intimal-medial thickness of the common carotid arteries and lower limbs atherosclerosis in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the authors consider the possible association between intimal-media thickness of the common carotid arteries and lower limb atherosclerosis, in a group of elderly patients; the authors also consider the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: B-mode ultrasound measurement of the intimal-media thickness of the common carotid arteries was performed on 80 subjects. Lower limbs atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of intermittens claudicatio and/or ankle-arm index < 0.9. Baseline clinic examination and blood tests were performed in all subjects to consider the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the linear relationship between intimal-media thickness of the common carotid arteries and lower limb atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed a statistical association between increased values of intimal-media thickness of the common carotid arteries and lower limb atherosclerosis. Sixty-four (80%) subjects presented one or more associated cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the the present study confirm that intimal-media thickness of the common carotid arteries is a marker for the identification of generalized atherosclerosis and may be useful for the identification of subjects, even at early stages, at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

[Stenosis of the internal carotid arteries and cardiovascular risk factors in a group of patients aged 65 years and over]. / Stenosi delle arterie carotidi interne e fattori di rischio cardiovascolari in un gruppo di pazienti ultrasessantacinquenni.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the degree of stenosis of internal carotid arteries and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors are examined. METHODS: Two hundred patients underwent high resolution B-mode echotomography of the carotid arteries; furthermore, the presence of associated cardiovascular risk factors was considered. RESULTS: Small stenosis (< 16%) were reported in 113 (56.5%) patients; moderate stenosis (16-49%) were reported in 58 (29%) patients; severe stenosis (50-79%) were reported in 19 (9.5%) patients; subocclusive stenosis (80-99%) were reported in 2 (1%) patients; occlusions were reported in 8 (4%) patients. One hundred and fifty patients (75%) presented one or more associated cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertension was present in 122 (61%) patients; hypercholesterolemia in 43 (21.5%) patients; diabetes mellitus in 41 (20.5%) patients; 26 (13%) patients were smokers. CONCLUSIONS: According to other studies, stenosis < 50% were the most frequent (85.5%) in the subjects examined. Stenosis > or = 50% were more frequent in males than females. Hypertension was the most frequent associated cardiovascular risk factor; therefore the degree of stenosis increased with the increasing number of cardiovascular risk factors.