CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS AS A MARKER OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the use of Carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) as non-invasive surrogate end point to measure progression of atherosclerosis. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at cardiology department of Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology Multan, from January 2013 to June 2013. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. Informed consent was taken from each participant. Intima media thickness was noted in all patients. All relevant baseline data was also recorded in the proforma. Results: total of 143 cases of both genders fulfilling inclusion criteria were registered in this study. Increased intima media thickness ( 1mm) was present in 107 (74.8%) while it was<1mm in 36 (25.2%) of our study cases. Mean age was 49.28 ± 6.82. Atheroma was present in 54 (37.7%). Mean IMT value was also calculated and it was 0.78±0.15 on right side and 0.79±0.23 on the left side. Conclusion: Carotid IMT increases with progressive coronary artery disease and the patients with IMT over 1mmhave a 75% likelihood of having CAD. Key Words: Intima-Media Thickness, Carotid, Atherosclerosis