Atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients.
The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence and localization of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of supra-aortic arteries in diabetic patients according to age and sex. Angiograms obtained by digital subtraction angiography were analyzed in 150 diabetic patients (study group) and 150 non-diabetic patients (control group) with symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Diabetic patients were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of stenotic atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery. Lesions of the large supra-aortic arteries were significantly more common in the left than in the right side of the neck (p < 0.001), but the difference between the diabetic and the non-diabetic group did not reach statistical significance. Hemodynamic conditions were found to be more important than diabetes for the occurrence of atherosclerotic lesions in these arteries. Changes in the proximal segment of the left common carotid artery were the most common finding in diabetic patients, hence attention should be paid to this localization on control examinations.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital "Merkur", School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. vinko.vidjak@zg.t-com.hr
Vinko
V
Vidjak
Andrija
A
Hebrang
Boris
B
Brkljacić
Mladen
M
Brajsa
Karlo
K
Novacić
Ante
A
Barada
Andrija
A
Skopljanac
Lidija
L
Erdelez
Maja
M
Crncević
Damir
D
Kucan
Zlata
Z
Flegar-Mestrić
Danijela
D
Vrhovski-Hebrang
Goran
G
Roić
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000098:blood supply*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies