Diagnostic value of carotid intima-media thickness in the investigation of atherosclerosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) and coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and risk of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and to evaluate the effectiveness of the measurement of the common carotid artery IMT through ultrasonography (US) screening of asymptomatic CAD, PAD, CAS. Patients and Methods: A total of 482 patients (215 females, 267 males) with ages ranging between 65 and 94 years old (mean age: 71.4 years) were examined with ultrasound (US). Results: Among the 482 patients, 226 (46.8%) (151 males, 75 females) had increased IMT values. A significant relationship was observed between the increase in the IMT, gender and age. The association between increased IMT and CAS (P = 0.0001), CAD (P = 0.007), PAD (P = 0.0001) and CVD (P = 0.011) was found statistically significant (P Conclusion: The increase in the IMT may be used as an independent predictor to foresee the presence and diagnosis of CAD, PAD, CAS and CVD. The results of this study suggest screening for atherosclerosis (CAD, PAD, CAS) patients over 65 years of age using measurement of carotid IMT with US.