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Association of atherosclerotic risk factors with carotid adventitial thickness assessed by ultrasonography
Author(s) -
Kazmierski Radoslaw,
Watala Cezary,
Podsiadly Edyta,
Dorszewska Jolanta,
Kozubski Wojciech
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.20585
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasonography , carotid arteries , cardiology , radiology , ultrasound
Purpose. There is increasing evidence that adventitial inflammation may participate in atherosclerosis development. The aim of this study was to investigate which atherosclerotic risk factors correlated with carotid adventitial thickness (AT) and to compare them with those associated with carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT). We also set out to test the hypothesis that there is a significant correlation between IMT and AT in the carotid arteries. Methods. The far carotid artery wall IMT and AT were measured by high‐resolution B‐mode ultrasound in 128 persons (mean, 65 ± 8 years). A number of conventional and novel, clinically and laboratory‐derived risk factors were assessed. Results. Significant correlation ( r = 0.35, p < 0.0001) was demonstrated between the IMT and AT. The stepwise forward multiple regression analysis revealed correlations between IMT and leukocyte count, C‐reactive protein level, and hypertension, whereas the Chlamydia (C.) pneumoniae IgA antibodies and fibrinogen levels, gender, and smoking correlated merely with AT. The homocysteine/methionine ratio correlated with both IMT and AT. Conclusion. The association between IMT and AT may reflect an interaction between intimal, medial, and adventitial pathology. Different risk factors are associated with the increased AT or IMT. It is possible that inflammation and some chronic infections, such as those induced by C. pneumoniae, could have a marked influence on adventitial cell proliferation. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009