RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IN THE COMMON CAROTID-ARTERY AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN THE CAROTID BIFURCATION

Background and Purpose-An increase in intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery (CCA) is commonly used as a marker of athero sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationsh ip between IMT in the CCA and atherosclerosis in the carotid bifurcati on. Methods-182 consecutive patients (mean age, 67 years) referred for carotid duplex scanning were included. We measured IMT and classified plaques by means of a high-resolution ultrasound technique. Results-I MT was correlated to age, male gender, ischemic heart disease, and pre sence of plaques or stenoses in any of the carotid bifurcations. In me n, IMT was larger on the left than on the right side. Plaques were see n in 163 carotid bifurcations, in 45 of these with >50% stenosis. On t he left side but not on the right, there was a correlation between IMT in the CCA and presence of plaques or stenoses in the carotid bifurca tion. Echogenic plaques were more common than echolucent, but the latt er caused significantly more stenoses. No relationship was found betwe en plaque echogenicity and IMT. Conclusions-IMT of the CCA is correlat ed to the degree of atherosclerosis in the carotid bifurcations in gen eral and on the left side also to the presence of plaques or stenoses in the left carotid bifurcation. Our results support earlier observati ons suggesting faster development of carotid atherosclerosis on the le ft than on the right side. Echogenic plaques were more common and gene rally smaller than echolucent plaques, but there was no correlation be tween plaque echogenicity and IMT.