Objective: The aim of the research was to determine the dependence of the blood flow
velocity in the thyroid arteries in patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) on the presence of
atherosclerotic carotid disease and the level of systemic blood pressure.
Methods:
The research involved 20 patients with AIT in euthyroid state, 30 patients AIT in
euthyroid state with stable Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), 30 patients with stable CHD and 30
healthy individuals. Participants of the research were examined using ultrasound of carotid arteries
and inferior thyroid arteries. Parameters of blood flow velocity were compared with the level of
systemic blood pressure.
Results:
In AIT peak systolic velocity and resistance index in the inferior thyroid arteries were significantly
higher than in healthy individuals and patients with CHD (p<0.05). In patients with CHD
velocity parameters in carotid arteries were high, unlike in the healthy individuals and patients with
AIT (p<0.05). In patients with AIT without CHD the atherosclerotic changes of carotid arteries
were not found. Increased systemic blood pressure was noticed in all patients with CHD without
significant differences between groups.
Conclusion:
The value of peak systolic velocity and resistance index of inferior thyroid arteries in
autoimmune thyroiditis are noticed even with euthyroidism and do not depend on systemic blood
pressure and atherosclerosis of carotid arteries. Increasing the thyroid arterial blood flow velocity
parameters should be considered as sign of an active inflammatory period AIT, where advanced
fibrosis is not present.
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