Background Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is widely used in clinical research. There is strong evidence that increased IMT is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular complications. Varies indices of IMT are used in different studies. So far there is no agreement which marker best reflects cardiovascular risk. Therefore the aim of the study was to establish the association between chosen cardiovascular risk factors and different indices of IMT.
Material and methods 90 males (mean age: 46 ± 8 yrs, BMI 27.7 ± 3.6 kg/m², office blood pressure 129 ± 8/81 ± 7 mm Hg, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure: SBP - 125.9 ± 7.9; DBP: 79.7 ± 6.3, total cholesterol 237 ± 35.7 mg/dl, HDL 52 ± 13, TG 184 ± 99) were studied. Doppler echocardiography with systolic and diastolic function evaluation was performed using ALOKA 5000 machine. CIMT measurement was obtained by analysis of ultrasonographic images with dedicated software. Varies indices of common carotid intima–media complex including average IMT, maximal IMT, average cross-sectional area of IMT (CSA-IMT), relative average IMT, relativemaximal IMT and relative CSA-IMT were calculated. The relationship between traditional risk factors and indices of IMT was analyzed by means of multiple regression.
Results The analysis revealed the highest MR coefficients for relative average IMT (R = 0.689) and relative CSAIMT (R = 0.685). Relative average IMT was significantly determined by age (p < 0.001), HDL-cholesterol level (p = 0.02) and 24-ABPM night heart rate (p = 0.035). Relative CSA-IMT was significantly determined by age (p < 0.001), HDL-cholesterol level (p = 0.02), 24-ABPM night heart rate (p = 0.025), BMI (p = 0.045) and fasting glucose level (p = 0.021).
Conclusions Among varies common carotid IM indices relative CSA-IMT may be the best marker of cardiovascular risk. Assessment of this variable may lead to a more precise stratification of the global cardiovascular risk. Arterial Hypertension 2007, vol. 11, no 4, pages 335-349.