A review of the carotid and femoral intima-media thickness as an indicator of the presence of peripheral vascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a common condition often associated with cardiovascular risk factors and events. With the aid of B-mode ultrasound scanning, evidence is emerging that these risk factors and events are significantly related to an increased carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT). More importantly, treatment of these risk factors is associated with a decrease or a diminished progression of the IMT, paralleled by a reduction in cardiovascular events and an improvement in the symptoms associated with PVD. This evidence is particularly strong for lipid lowering therapy. Additional predictors of cardiovascular risk like the IMT, could now influence the decision to intervene with medication.
Cheng
Koon Sung
KS
Vascular Haemodynamic Unit, University Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London and The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, NW3 2QG, London, UK.
Mikhailidis
Dimitri P
DP
Hamilton
George
G
Seifalian
Alexander M
AM
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011336:Probability; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015431:Weight Loss
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors