title: Assessment of carotid artery intima media thickness in hypertensive patients compared with normotensives by B-mode ultrasonography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Common carotid artery intima media thickness has recently generated considerable interest as a marker of atherosclerosis and in the prediction of clinical coronary events and coronary artery disease. Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique of measuring carotid artery intima media thickness. This study was carried out at Military Hospital Rawalpindi during 6 months from 24th May to 24th Nov 2007 to compare the common carotid artery intima media thickness in hypertensive patients with normotensives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred willing cases fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study and 200 controls were selected reporting to radiology department. Blood pressure was measured from brachial artery with mercury sphygmomanometer taking first and fifth Korotkoff sounds to identify systolic and diastolic values respectively. Intima media thickness was assessed in the distal part, 0.5-1.0 Cm proximal to carotid bulb of common carotid artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age range of control group was 42-85 years and of hypertensive was 41-90 years. Mean age of control group was 55.03 +/- 8.57 years, and of hypertensive group was 58.02 +/- 9.74 years. The Mean of IMT right CCA of control group was 0.515 +/- 0.148 mm and of hypertensive group it was 1.06 +/- 0.23 mm (p < 0.001). The Mean of IMT of left CCA control group was 0.508 +/- 0.150 mm and of hypertensive group was 1.06 +/- 0.223 mm (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intima media thickness was significantly increased among hypertensive patients as compared to normotensives.
authors.forename: Tariq Saeed
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Falak
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nigar
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asim
authors.lastname: Irfan-Ul-haq
authors.forename: Bushra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rehman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged