title: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis: objectives and design.
abstract: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis was initiated in July 2000 to investigate the prevalence, correlates, and progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a population-based sample of 6,500 men and women aged 45-84 years. The cohort will be selected from six US field centers. Approximately 38% of the cohort will be White, 28% African-American, 23% Hispanic, and 11% Asian (of Chinese descent). Baseline measurements will include measurement of coronary calcium using computed tomography; measurement of ventricular mass and function using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; measurement of flow-mediated brachial artery endothelial vasodilation, carotid intimal-medial wall thickness, and distensibility of the carotid arteries using ultrasonography; measurement of peripheral vascular disease using ankle and brachial blood pressures; electrocardiography; and assessments of microalbuminuria, standard CVD risk factors, sociodemographic factors, life habits, and psychosocial factors. Blood samples will be assayed for putative biochemical risk factors and stored for use in nested case-control studies. DNA will be extracted and lymphocytes will be immortalized for genetic studies. Measurement of selected subclinical disease indicators and risk factors will be repeated for the study of progression over 7 years. Participants will be followed through 2008 for identification and characterization of CVD events, including acute myocardial infarction and other coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and congestive heart failure; therapeutic interventions for CVD; and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA. bildd@nhlbi.nih.gov
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bild
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bluemke
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Detrano
authors.forename: Ana V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Diez Roux
authors.forename: Aaron R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Folsom
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Greenland
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kronmal
authors.forename: Kiang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jennifer Clark
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.forename: Mohammed F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Moyses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szklo
authors.forename: Russell P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Tracy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology