INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS OF THE LARGE ARTERIES - AN EARLY-STAGE OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

The studies and findings reviewed in this paper indicate that increase d intima-media thickness (IMT) of the large arteries, especially the c ommon carotid arteries, is: a reflection of multiple risk factors over time, a reflection of atherosclerotic burden, including coronary athe rosclerosis; an index of cardiovascular growth, including left ventric ular hypertrophy; and a highly sensitive outcome for the monitoring of atherosclerosis in clinical trials.