Factors of Carotid Arterial Enlargement in a Population Aged 59 to 71 Years

Background and Purpose Factors of carotid arterial enlargement are not well known in general populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the cross-sectional associations of arterial wall lesions and cardiovascular risk factors with carotid lumen diameter in elderly subjects. Methods B-mode ultrasound examinations of the carotid arteries and risk factor assessment were made in 1272 participants in the EVA (Etude sur le vieillissement arteriel) Study, a longitudinal study designed to evaluate vascular and cognitive aging in men and women aged 59 to 71 years. Ultrasound examinations included measurements of intima-media thickness (IMT) and interadventitial and lumen diameters of the common carotid arteries and quantification of atherosclerotic plaques in extracranial carotid arteries. Results Men showed greater IMT and interadventitial and lumen diameters of the common carotid arteries than did women. In both sexes, common IMT and plaque score were positively associated with common interadventitial...