SCREENING ASYMPTOMATIC SUBJECTS WITH SUBCLINICAL ARTERIOSCLEROTIC LESIONS WITH ARTERIAL ULTRASONIC BIOPSY - THE PAP STUDY

Ultrasound Biopsy is a an effective screening method for detecting ear ly, subclinical arteriosclerotic lesions. Carotid and femoral artery w all lesions are important markers of generalized cardiovascular diseas e. The evaluation of 4 arterial sites (both carotid and femoral arteri es) gives a clue of the status of the whole cardiovascular system. In 27.9% of all patients the femoral lesions are present earlier or in a more advanced stage than carotid lesions. Different age groups have a different UB class distribution and score due to the progression with age of the disease. Early arterial lesions and small plaques are impor tant indicators of silent coronary ischemia and cardiovascular events. The method has also an impact on patients' compliance. Subjects with early plaques shown by high resolution ultrasound are more impressed b y this finding than by laboratory results.