title: Association of carotid intima-media thickness and cardiovascular risk factors in women pre- and post-bariatric surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), such as hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and low levels of high-density cholesterol (HDL-C). In obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) of >or=40 kg/m2 or 35-40 kg/m2 associated with CVRFs, weight loss may be achieved more effectively by bariatric surgery on reducing several CVRFs. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) is an indicator of early atherosclerosis, and may be correlated with CVRFs. Our objective was to correlate C-IMT with CVRFs before (baseline data) and after surgery, and to observe whether weight loss is followed by a regression of C-IMT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen women who had undergone bariatric surgery participated in this study. Assessments were carried out on the baseline date, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Some of the CVRFs analyzed were: total cholesterol (TC) levels, HDL-C, triglycerides to HDL-C ratio (TG/HDL-C) and fasting plasma glucose. C-IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive correlation was found between C-IMT and age and triglyceride level (p=0.002 and p=0.02, respectively). Six months after surgery, we found a significant reduction in C-IMT (p<0.05), which was significantly correlated with TG level and systolic pressure (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The weight loss achieved with bariatric surgery resulted in regression of C-IMT. This regression could be observed 6 months following surgery, with an additional benefit at 12 months. Also, this finding was correlated with a reduction in triglyceride levels and systolic blood pressure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil. pri.sarmento@globo.com
authors.forename: P L F A
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sarmento
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Plavnik
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Zanella
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ajzen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015431:Weight Loss