[The plasma fibrinogen as a marker of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis].
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.
Trappolini
Massimo
M
UOC Medicina Interna, Ospedale S. Andrea, II Facoltà di Medicina, Sapienza Università, Roma. massimo.trappolini@uniroma1.it
Stoppo
Michela
M
Meggiorini
Marilla
M
Loguercio
Valentina
V
Fabiani
Ombretta
O
Iannotta
Marco
M
Negro
Andrea
A
Sebastianelli
Alisa
A
Proietta
Maria
M
Del Porto
Flavia
F
Aliberti
Giuseppe
G
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen