Clinical importance of asymmetry and handedness differences in common carotid artery intima-media thickness.
Earlier publications have reported that common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) was lower on the right side than on the left side and that left-handed patients have a lower risk of sudden death of brain infarction. This study aimed to determine whether there is an asymmetry and the handedness related difference in CCA-IMT. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed with the use of Aplio US system. In total sample, male and female left-handers, CCA-IMT was greater on left side than on right side. In men, both right and left CCA-IMTs, but in women only right IMT, were lower in the left-handers than in the right-handers. Both right and left CCA-IMTs was positively correlated with age in men and in women. Handedness was a significant factor influencing CCA-IMT with adjustment for sex and age. It was greater on left side than on right side, especially in the left-handers. CCA-IMTs were lower in the left-handers than in the right-handers. These results suggest that hemodynamic stress and intimal damage was larger in the left carotid artery, which was larger in the right-handers compared to the left-handers.
Onbaş
Omer
O
Department of Radiology, Medical School, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Dane
Senol
S
Kantarci
Mecit
M
Koplay
Mustafa
M
Alper
Fatih
F
Okur
Adnan
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography