Prevalence and determinants of carotid plaque in the cross-sectional REFINE-Reykjavik study

Abstract

ObjectiveCarotid plaque and intima-media thickness are non-invasive arterial markers that are used as surrogate end points for cardiovascular disease. The aim was to assess the prevalence and severity of carotid plaque, and examine its determinant risk factors and their association to the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) in a general population.MethodsWe examined 6524 participants aged 25–69 years in the population-based REFINE (Risk Evaluation For INfarct Estimates)-Reykjavik study. Plaques at the bifurcation and internal carotid arteries were evaluated. Mean CCA-IMT was measured in the near and far walls of the common carotid arteries.ResultsThe prevalence of minimal, moderate and severe plaque was 35.0%, 8.9% and 1.1%, respectively, and the mean CCA-IMT was 0.73 (SD 0.14) mm. Age, sex, smoking and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were the strongest risk factors associated with plaque, followed by systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, body mass index and family history of myocardial infarct. Low educational level was also strongly and independently associated with plaque. CCA-IMT shared the same risk factors except for a non-significant association with T2DM and family history of myocardial infarction (MI). Participants with T2DM had greater plaque prevalence, 2-fold higher in those <50 years and 17–30% greater in age groups 50–54 to 60–64, and more significant plaques (moderate or severe) were the difference in prevalence was 24% in age group 50–54 and ≥60% in older age groups, compared with non-T2DM.ConclusionsCarotid plaque and CCA-IMT have mostly common determinants. However, T2DM and family history of MI were associated with plaque but not with CCA-IMT. Greater prevalence and more severe plaques in individuals with T2DM raise the concern that with increasing prevalence of T2DM we may expect an increase in atherosclerosis and its consequences.

A semi‐active human digital twin model for detecting severity of carotid stenoses from head vibration—A coupled computational mechanics and computer vision method

“…The healthy subjects are chosen with the assumption that volunteers aged between 20 and 30 years do not suffer from carotid stenoses. We believe that this assumption is valid in most cases (95.5%) . In addition to healthy volunteers, we also had access to the data of a single patient with a severe carotid stenosis, left untreated.…”

“…We believe that this assumption is valid in most cases (95.5%). 38 In addition to healthy volunteers, we also had access to the data of a single patient with a severe carotid stenosis, left untreated. This patient previously suffered from a stroke, as a result of the carotid stenosis, and in order to access the data, we obtained the required signed consent from the patient via the treating clinician.…”

Úr gögnum Hjartaverndar: Faraldsfræði kransæðasjúkdóma á Íslandi í hálfa öld

“…Ómskoðanir af hálsslagaeðum hafa þann kost að vera ódýrar og haettulausar í framkvaemd en hafa jafnframt sterkt forspárgildi um aeðakölkunarsjúkdóm í kransaeð-um. 53 Með þessari rannsókn má baeta hefðbundið áhaettumat með áhaettureiknivél og finna þá einstaklinga sem eru einkennalausir og teljast með lága áhaettu samkvaemt hefðbundnu mati. Annar veigamikill þáttur í forvörnum naestu áratuga verður að draga úr offitu og sykursýki af hennar völdum.…”

“…Refine-rannsóknin var slembiúrtak 9480 einstaklinga á Reykjavíkursvaeðinu sem voru faeddir 1935-1985 og var þátttökuhlutfall 73%. 11 Rannsóknin var unnin á tímabilinu 2006-2012. Í öllum þessum rannsóknum voru þátttakendur skoðaðir og hefðbundir áhaettuþaettir maeldir á staðl-aðan hátt.…”

Impact of carotid atherosclerosis in CHA2DS2-VASc-based risk score on predicting ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

“…The universal definition of vascular disease includes a history of myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial diseases or aortic plaque. Carotid atherosclerosis, including carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and presence of carotid plaque, is an independent risk factor for stroke in the general population [4][5][6][7]. Carotid atherosclerosis is also associated https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2019.099…”