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 Printable version |
Predictive value of the intima media thickness of the common carotid artery for the occurence of cardiovascular events |
Sang Thrombose Vaisseaux. Volume 20, Number 8, 393-403, Octobre 2008, Mini-revue
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Cédric Collin, Kim-Thanh Ong, Hélène Beaussier, Stéphane Laurent, Pierre Boutouyrie |
Summary : Arterial remodeling is defined as any change in structure (intima-media thickness and arterial diameter) and function (stiffness) of arteries during physiological and pathological processes. In hypertensive patients, the large-size arteries are characterized by an arterial wall hypertrophy and an increase of arterial stiffness. Arterial lesions differ along the arterial tree. The damage is greater in large-size arteries (aorta), more moderate in middle-size and elastic arteries, such as the common carotid artery, and is inconsistently observed in small-size muscular arteries. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor for cardiovascular events. The predictive value of arterial wall thickness and the increase of arterial stiffness for the occurence of cardiovascular events is well established, and parietal hypertrophy is recognized as a predictive factor of atherosclerosis. Similarly, carotid atherosclerotic plaque is more common in patients with thickened arterial wall. Therefore non-invasive investigation of large and middle-size arteries is necessary to identify patients with a high cardiovascular risk. High-definition echotracking ultrasonography, aplanation tonometry and carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity are approved methods of non-invasive evaluation of arterial properties for assessment of cardiovascular risk. |
Keywords : cardiovascular risk factor, cardiovascular events, common carotid-artery intima-media thickness, atherosclerosis, arterial remodeling |
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