title: Carotid intima-media thickness and cardiovascular risk.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in most developed nations. Identifying an individual's cardiovascular risk remains a challenge. Traditional coronary-risk stratification is based on cardiovascular risk factors using risk score systems, which may not reliably identify atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals. Carotid intima-media thickness measured by ultrasonography is a noninvasive, well-validated tool that has been used as a surrogate for clinical coronary events. Carotid intima-media thickness has demonstrable utility as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events. Recent data have improved our understanding of its applications as a screening tool for cardiovascular disease.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, AZ, USA. mookadam.farouk@mayo.edu
authors: Farouk
authors: F
authors: Mookadam
authors: Weerawat
authors: W
authors: Tanasunont
authors: Uzma
authors: U
authors: Jalal
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Mookadam
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Wilansky
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography