title: Carotid artery intima-media thickness: normal and percentile values in the Italian population (camp study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is one of the best non-invasive parameters for evaluating previous vascular lesions and could be used to identify a preclinical stage of the atherosclerotic process. The aim of our research was to develop an epidemiological study of the normal mean values of IMT of the common carotid artery, adjusted for age and sex, in the Italian population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this multicenter study, a total of 1017 patients (596 males, mean age: 58.5 + 13.2 years) were enrolled at four different Italian centers. Inclusion criteria were the absence of cardiovascular risk factors or presence of not more than one. Patients underwent two-dimensional echo-color Doppler scanning of the carotid arteries, adopting a high-definition vascular echographic apparatus and a 11-3 MHz linear electronic probe. The arithmetical mean of the IMT value was calculated. Data obtained from this study show the carotid IMT changes in relation to age and sex. In particular, it grows higher with increasing age, and is always higher in men than in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In relation to the percentile distribution of the values in the population analyzed, the normal range of m-IMT could be established just on the basis of the patient's age and sex. In this way, the ultrasound scan operator can rely on a simple reference scheme. This will help to refine the use of carotid ultrasound as an excellent tool for detecting asymptomatic carotid alterations and patients at high risk for cerebral and cardiovascular disease.
authors: Section of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Italy. ciccone@cardio.uniba.it
authors: Marco Matteo
authors: MM
authors: Ciccone
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Balbarini
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Teresa Porcelli
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Santoro
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Cortese
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Scicchitano
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Favale
authors: Flavio
authors: F
authors: Butitta
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: De Pergola
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Gullace
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Novo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D055815:Young Adult