title: Analysis of risk factors and diseases associated with atherosclerosis in the progression of carotid artery stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to analyze the roles of demographic, clinical, and laboratory factors on the progression of atherosclerotic stenosis in carotid bifurcation. It was based on prospective information from records entered on a specific application form for follow-up outpatients at a tertiary university service.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (n = 210) who had undergone more than one carotid duplex scan but no surgical intervention were selected for the analysis. The patients were divided into two groups: patients whose duplex scans did not show bilateral progression of carotid stenosis and patients with carotid stenosis progression of <50%, 50%-69%, or >70%. Clinical and demographic parameters were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group II levels of plasma urea (51.6 ± 27.8 mg/dl) and fibrinogen (493.2 ± 113.3 mg/dl) were higher than the Group I levels (43.0 ± 14.9 mg/dl and 441.3 ± 106.7 mg/dl, respectively) with statistical significance (p urea = 0.013 and p fibrinogen = 0.018). Paradoxically, the mean body mass index was higher in Group I (26.4 ± 4.6 kg/m(2)) than in Group II (24.6 ± 3.9 kg/m(2); p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Traditional risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis in a carotid bifurcation are important but not unique. Metabolic and inflammatory factors can contribute to disease progression.
authors: Vascular and Endovascular Divison, Department of Surgery, Clinicas Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil nayaracioffi@yahoo.com.
authors: Nayara Cioffi
authors: NC
authors: Batagini
authors: Vascular and Endovascular Divison, Department of Surgery, Clinicas Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Erasmo Simão
authors: ES
authors: da Silva
authors: Department of Radiology, Clinicas Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Carlos A V
authors: CA
authors: Pinto
authors: Vascular and Endovascular Divison, Department of Surgery, Clinicas Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Puech-Leão
authors: Vascular and Endovascular Divison, Department of Surgery, Clinicas Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Nelson
authors: N
authors: de Luccia
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Carotid stenosis; atherosclerosis; progression; risk factors