Study of correlation between intima-media thickness in carotid artery and left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly patients with essential hypertension

Objective To study the correlation between left ventricular myocardial remodeling and carotid artery remodeling in elderly patients with essential hypertension(EH) patients. Method Carotid and cardiac ultrasonography were performed on 80 elderly patients with essential hypertension and 32 control subjects. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI),IMT and plaque were respectively measured. These data were analyzed and compared. Result Compared with the control group,the LVMI,the IMT in carotid artery increased and the prevalence of carotid plaque was higher in EH patients,and highest in LVMI increased group. There was positive relation between IMT of carotid artery and LVMI(r= 0.79,p 0.01). Conclusion IMT in carotid artery can increase in EH patient s and IMT is related to left vent ricular hypertrophy. Ultrasonography may be considered as sensitive index of vascular disease.