Carotid intima-media thickness is increased in subjects with ischemic heart disease having a familial incidence.
OBJECTIVE
A family history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. However, the mechanisms underlying this susceptibility have not been fully elucidated. The authors hypothesized that an important mediator of the familial incidence of IHD is subclinical atherosclerosis, which is detectable by noninvasive imaging.


METHODS
One hundred forty-seven consecutive subjects (mean age 61.9 years, 57% men) were studied for one year using carotid ultra-sonogrophy for general medical screening, and familial IHD events were validated. Using a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaque were assessed. Subjects were subsequently divided into four groups based on the severity of IMT.


RESULTS
The familial incidence of IHD and incidence of plaque were associated with the severity of IMT. No significant differences in risk factors were found between subjects with and without a family history of IHD.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that subclinical atherosclerosis, as assessed in the carotid arteries, is more prevalent in individuals with a family history of IHD.
Kishimoto
Chiharu
C
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University.
Hirata
Miki
M
Hama
Kaori
K
Tanaka
Masami
M
Nishimura
Kazushi
K
Kubo
Shigeru
S
Ueda
Kinzo
K
Fujioka
Tatsuo
T
Tamakil
Shunichi
S