Appropriateness of carotid plaque and intima-media thickness assessment in routine clinical practice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To describe the findings and evaluate appropriateness of a carotid artery study including the measurement of IMT, the presence of atherosclerotic plaque, and their correlation with cardiovascular risk factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>555 patients (220 men; 67.06 ± 12.44 years) were included in the study. 120 patients (21.62%) presented carotid plaque: 108 (19.45%) in patients with at least one risk factor and 12 (2.1%) in patients without risk factors. With respect to appropriateness of the present studies: 65% were appropriate, 22% were uncertain and 13% were inappropriate. The IMT medians were higher in males (0.0280; 95% CI, 00.82 to 0.478; <it>p </it>= 0.0057) and in hypertensive patients (0.391; 95% CI, 0.0190 to 0.0592; <it>p </it>= 0,001). There was a linear increase in mean IMT for each year increased in age (0.0059; 95% CI; 0.0050 to 0.0067). Carotid plaque was more frequent in patients with CAD (<it>p </it>= 0.0002), diabetes (<it>p </it>= 0.024) and hypertension (<it>p </it>= 0.036).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Assessment of carotid arteries identified increased incidence of plaque in patients with CAD, diabetes and hypertension. IMT was increased in older patients, hypertensive patients and males. Forty-five percent of the patients were studied based on uncertain and inappropriate reasons.</p