The relationship between cardiovascular risk estimated by use of SCORE system and intima media thickness and flow mediated dilatation in a low risk population
Background: The SCORE system is a simple, currently recommended method of cardiovascular
risk assessment. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between SCORE
risk and intima media thickness (IMT) and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in a low risk
population.
Methods: 119 people (59 men) without known cardiovascular disease and estimated by
means of SCORE system risk < 5%, were included in the study. The ultrasound method was
used to assess brachial artery diameter (BAd), FMD, nitroglycerin mediated dilatation (NMD)
of brachial artery and IMT of common carotid. FMD × BAd and FMD/NMD indexes representing
hyperemia-induced vasodilatation independent of brachial artery properties were analyzed.
Results: IMT measured was 0.52 ± 0.08 mm; FMD: 17.5 ± 7.8%; NMD: 27.0 ± 9.0%;
FMD × BAd: 58.2 ± 22.4, FMD/NMD: 0.64 ± 0.19. Independent predictor for both FMD and
NMD was BAd (R2 –0.31; p < 0.001; R2 –0.44; p < 0.001; respectively), for FMD × BAd
index and FMD/NMD index was IMT (R2 –0.04; p = 0.02; R2 –0.04; p = 0.015) in a multivariate
analysis. Risk estimated by use of the SCORE system was between 0 and 4% (median-1, 25–
–75 Q: 0–2). A relationship between SCORE risk and IMT (ANOVA p < 0.001), FMD
(ANOVA p < 0.001), NMD (ANOVA p < 0.001), FMD × BAd index (ANOVA p = 0.017),
but not FMD/NMD index (ANOVA p = 0.27), was found.
Conclusions: The association of a simple stratifying scale (SCORE system) with indices of
early vascular remodeling in a low risk population supports its clinical significance