Relation of common carotid intima-media thickness with left ventricular mass caused by shared risk factors for hypertrophy.
BACKGROUND
It is unclear whether the relationship between common carotid intima-media thickness (cCIMT) and left ventricular mass (LVM) is due to shared risk factors for atherosclerosis or for hypertrophy.


METHODS
In 525 hypertensive subjects at high cardiovascular risk, the relation of cCIMT to LVM and established vascular risk factors was studied.


RESULTS
CCIMT was positively related to LVM. In a multivariable model including age, gender, height, weight, and LVM, a 1-g increase in LVM related to an increase in cCIMT of 1.6 microm (95% confidence interval, 0.8-2.4). After adjustment for atherosclerotic risk factors, notably previous stroke or transient ischemic attack, peripheral arterial disease, lipid-lowering medication, albuminuria and current smoking, the relation remained unchanged. In contrast, addition of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and hypertension treatment attenuated Beta for the relation between cCIMT and LVM with 19% to 1.3 microm (95% confidence interval, 0.2-2.2).


CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between cCIMT and LVM may be due to risk factors for hypertrophy rather than for atherosclerotic factors in a considerable proportion of patients.
Meijs
Matthijs F L
MF
Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Doevendans
Pieter A
PA
Cramer
Maarten J
MJ
Vonken
Evert-Jan A
EJ
Velthuis
Birgitta K
BK
van der Graaf
Yolanda
Y
Visseren
Frank L
FL
Mali
Willem P Th M
WP
Bots
Michiel L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult