Effect of carotid atherosclerosis screening on risk stratification during primary cardiovascular disease prevention.
We investigated the effect that carotid plaque area (CPA) and intima media thickness (IMT) measurements have on risk stratification in 95 patients with intermediate Framingham scores (6% to 19%). The risk status of each patient was adjusted to be low, intermediate, or high based on the results of carotid ultrasound. After carotid testing, 44% (IMT) and 45% (CPA) of the intermediate-risk patients were stratified as low risk, and 22% (IMT) and 40% (CPA) were stratified as high risk. Using the threshold values derived from our laboratory, 28% (IMT) and 45% (CPA) of patients were stratified as low risk, and 35% (IMT) and 27% (CPA) were identified as high risk. These tests adjust the risk strata of >/=63% of patients deemed as having intermediate risk by Framingham scores.
Bard
Robert L
RL
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Kalsi
Henna
H
Rubenfire
Melvyn
M
Wakefield
Thomas
T
Fex
Beverly
B
Rajagopalan
Sanjay
S
Brook
Robert D
RD
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography