Study on the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis by ultrasonography and its risk factors

Objective To measure the intima-media thickness(IMT) of bilateral carotid arteries with ultrasonography and to assess the relationship of carotid atherosclerosis(CAs) and its main risk factors.Methods All subjects were divided into CAs group and non-CAs group.Carotid intima-media thickness and the size of carotid plaque were detected by 2-dimensional ultrasound.Many potential risk factors of carotid atherosclerosis were compared between the two groups.Results Patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis had significant increased serum levels of lipid,C-reactive protein and plasma fibrinogen.There was a significant positive correlation between grades of carotid plaque with the serum levels of C-reactive protein,fibrinogen.Patients who had significant elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein,C-reactive protein,fibrinogen had!significantly higher incidence and more severity of carotid atherosclerosis.Conclusion The elevated levels of C-reactive protein,lipid,fibrinogen are closely correlated with carotid atherosclerosis and its severity.