Study on atherosclerosis of extracranial portion of carotid artery system in healthy persons.
This paper reports the real time B-mode Doppler scanning findings of the extracranial portion of carotid arterial system (CAS) in 182 healthy persons (119 males and 63 females). The results showed that the diameter of the lumen of common carotid artery (CCA), bifurcation of common carotid artery (BCCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) was larger in males than in females; there was no relationship between the diameter of the lumen of CCA, BCCA and ICA and body height; the diameter of lumen of CCA increased with age; 29 cases of atherosclerosis of the arterial wall (11 lesions with thickening of intima, 16 with hard plaque, one with soft plaque and 5 with stenosis) were observed; and the incidence of positive findings of atherosclerotic lesion of extracranial portion of CAS in the 40-49 age group and 50-59 age group was only 4.2% and 4.8% respectively, while the incidence in those aged over 60 increased markedly to 26.5-41.7%. These suggested that incidence of atherosclerosis in extracranial portion of CAS was not low in healthy persons without any evidence of stroke. As atheromatous lesions may be related to the consequent onset of stroke in the future, follow-up study and repeated Doppler scanning are necessary so as to observe the relationship between the location and severity of the lesion and the occurrence of cerebrovasculor disease. They may be helpful in determining the indication for carotid artery operation and also play a role in the prevention and treatment of CVD.
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography