CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS - CORRELATION WITH THE BRITISH-REGIONAL-HEART-STUDY RISK SCORE

Objectives. The thickness of the intima-media (IMT) layer of the commo n carotid artery is a marker of severe and extensive coronary artery d isease and it has been reported that it is related to the presence of risk factors for atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to est ablish whether the IMT correlates with the British Regional Heart Stud y (BRHS) risk score which identifies a large proportion of men who may experience a major ischaemic heart disease event within 5 years of in itial screening. Subjects. High resolution ultrasonography was used to measure the thickness of the intima-media layer in 89 individuals. Th e BRHS risk score of these individuals was also recorded. Main outcome measures. Correlation between the carotid IMT and the BRHS score.Resu lts. The IMT was linearly related to the BRHS score (r = 0.56; P < 0.0 01). There was a highly significant difference between the mean IMT in individuals with a risk score greater and those with a risk score les ser than the 80th percentile (P < 0.001). Conclusion. It is concluded that the IMT may be a useful surrogate end-point or biological marker of coronary artery disease and might be considered for use in prospect ive studies and clinical trials.