CHOLESTEROL AND FIBRINOGEN AS PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF PROGRESSIVE CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS

In order to detect the presence of determining factors as predictors o f progressive carotid atherosclerosis, the incidence of total serum ch olesterol and fibrinogen elevation was evaluated in patients affected by coronary artery disease (CAD). 61 subjects with CAD (mean age 62 ye ars) and significative lesions (>50%) underwent periodic Echo-Doppler (Duplex scanning) of the supra aortic branches. Total serum cholestero l, HDL, LDL and fibrinogen were monitored, as well. A 24 month follow- up period was performed. Indicative of the progression of carotid athe rosclerosis has been considered the presence of a stenosis degree over 20% than the initial one. In 14 of the 61 subjects who entered the st udy, there was evidence of progressive carotid atherosclerosis. The sa me patients showed higher levels of LDL cholesterol (130 +/- 36.3 vs 9 6.5 +/- 33.2) and Fibrinogen (398.3 +/- 59.4 vs 328 +/- 36.8) and lowe r levels of HDL cholesterol (27.2 +/- 4.2 vs 34.4 +/- 10.1). Our resul ts confirm the importance of cholesterol and fibrinogen as determining risk factors, especially in patients with multiple vascular disease ( coronary and carotid).