title: [The plasma fibrinogen as a marker of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis].
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate if plasma fibrinogen levels could correlate with carotid lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the plasmatic levels of fibrinogen in 100 patients with asymptomatic carotid lesions, examined at ultrasound, and with at least one traditional cardiovascular risk factor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significant correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and severity of carotid lesions: intima-media thickness (p < 0.001), stenosis <70% (p < 0.002), stenosis 270% (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, high plasmatic levels of fibrinogen significantly correlate with the thickness of carotid wall in asymptomatic subjects.
authors.affiliation: UOC Medicina Interna, Ospedale S. Andrea, II Facoltà di Medicina, Sapienza Università, Roma. massimo.trappolini@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trappolini
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoppo
authors.forename: Marilla
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meggiorini
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loguercio
authors.forename: Ombretta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fabiani
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iannotta
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negro
authors.forename: Alisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sebastianelli
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Proietta
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Del Porto
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aliberti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen