Correlation of thoracic aortic atherosclerotic plaque detected by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography and cardiovascular risk factors

This study of 416 patients identified age, male gender, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia as independent predictors of thoraci c aortic atherosclerotic plaque. Age, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypert ension, and diabetes were predictors of the severity and extent of thoracic aortic atherosclerosis.