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Review
. 2016 Jan 20;129(2):215-26.
doi: 10.4103/0366-6999.173500.

Carotid Intima-media Thickness Measurements: Relations with Atherosclerosis, Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Application in Randomized Controlled Trials

Michiel L Bots  1 , Gregory W Evans, Charles H Tegeler, Rudy Meijer
Affiliations
Review

Carotid Intima-media Thickness Measurements: Relations with Atherosclerosis, Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Application in Randomized Controlled Trials

Michiel L Bots et al. Chin Med J (Engl). .

Abstract

Advances in the field of carotid ultrasound have been incremental, resulting in a steady decrease in measurement variability. Improvements in edge detection algorithms point toward increasing automation of CIMT measurements. The major advantage of CIMT is that it is completely noninvasive and can be repeated as often as required. It provides a continuous measure since all subjects have a measurable carotid wall. It is also relatively inexpensive to perform, and the technology is widely available. A graded relation between raising LDL cholesterol and increased CIMT is apparent. Increased CIMT has been shown consistently to relate the atherosclerotic abnormalities elsewhere in the arterial system. Moreover, increased CIMT predicts future vascular events in both populations from Caucasian ancestry and those from Asian ancestry. Furthermore, lipid‑lowering therapy has been shown to affect CIMT progression within 12–18 months in properly designed trials with results congruent with clinical events trials. In conclusion, when one wants to evaluate the effect of a pharmaceutical intervention that is to be expected to beneficially affect atherosclerosis progression and to reduce CV event risk, the use of CIMT measurements over time is a valid, suitable, and evidence‑based choice.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The number of publications (y-axis) using “carotid intima-media thickness (not animal)” in the title or abstract as assessed using PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez), by year of publication (x-axis), (December 16, 2014).
Figure 2
Figure 2
A typical B-mode ultrasound image from the carotid artery.[19]
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graphical representation of the circumferential assessment of the artery sites. The angle values from 60 to 180 represent the standardized angles of interrogation. BIFUR: Carotid bifurcation; CCA: Common carotid artery; ECA: External carotid artery; ICA: Internal carotid artery.[29]
Figure 4
Figure 4
The Meijer Carotid Arc that allows for assessment of angles specific images.[23]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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