Author/Editor     Lavrenčič, Aleša; Kosmina, Barbara; Keber, Irena; Videčnik, Viktor; Keber, Dušan
Title     Carotid intima-media thickness in young patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia
Type     članek
Source     Heart
Vol. and No.     Letnik 76, št. 4
Publication year     1996
Volume     str. 321-5
Language     eng
Abstract     Objective-To assess the extent of early atherosclerotic changes of the carotid arteries in young patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) detected as increased intima-media thickness (IMT), and to determine the relations between IMT and some clinical and blood variables such as lipid and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) concentration and haemostatic factors. Design-The IMT of the carotid bifurcation, the proximal 1 cm of the internal carotid artery, and the distal 1 cm of the common carotid artery was determined in all subjects using B mode utrasonography. Blood lipids, fasting glucose, and several haemostatic variables were also analysed. Subjects-28 patients with FH (12 males and 16 females aged 11 to 27 years, one homozygote, 27 heterozygotes) and 28 sex and age matched normolipidaemic healhy subjects. Results-The mean carotid IMT (the average of six measurements of the maximum far wall IMT in the three carotid segments on each side) was significantly greater in patients with FH than in controls (mean (SD) 0.71 (0.15) v 0.49 (0.08) mm, P < 0.001). In all subjects, the mean IMT was significantly correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.59), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (r = 0.60), triglycerides (r = 0.27), and and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.47). No correlation was found between the mean IMT and Lp(a), fibrinogen, tissue plasminogen activator, and plasminogen activator inhitibor 1. Conclusions-The majority of young patients with FH have a greater intima-media thickness of th carotic arteries than healthy subjects. Since the individual susceptibility of patients with FH to increased LDL cholesterol is different, B mode ultrasonography could provide a useful tool to identify those who are more likely to develop premature atherosclerotic disease.
Descriptors     CAROTID ARTERIES
HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA, FAMILIAL
TUNICA INTIMA
CHILD
ADULT
ADOLESCENCE
BLOOD PRESSURE
CHOLESTEROL
LIPOPROTEINS, LDL CHOLESTEROL
TRIGLYCERIDES