VASCULAR RISK-FACTORS FOR ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE PROGRESSION IN CAROTID-ARTERY

Two-dimensional ultrasound is a widely used technique for the clinical assessment of carotid atherosclerosis. We measured Volumes of atheros clerotic plaques in carotid arteries in 70 patients with a newly devel oped and tested three-dimensional ultrasound method over a period of t welve months to determine the relation between progression or regressi on of plaque Volume and vascular risk factors. In multiple regression analysis of age, size, smoking, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, HD L/total cholesterol ratio, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1, diast olic and systolic blood pressure, the strongest predictor of plaque pr ogression (p<0.01) was diastolic blood pressure, diabetes came next (p <0.05). The optimal adjustment of all risk factors showed a significan t influence on plaque progression (r: 0.76).