Carotid Artery Atheromas and Calcifications among Postmenopausal Women with Diabetes and Hypertension

Hypertension and diabetes are the most important disorders correlated with carotid artery atheromas or calcification. The measurement of actual atheroma or volume can probably provide an accurate and comprehensive view of the extent and severity of atherosclerosis. Fortyfive consented post menopausal Iraqi women were recruited in this study,thet were grouped into three groups of equal numbers; control group, diabetic group and hypertensive group. All participants underwent ultrasonographic assessment of the carotid arteries region for the detection of any stenosis and a dental panoramic imaging for the detection of carotid calcification of the right and the left side.The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of carotid artery stenosis with or without calcification among postmenopausal women with hypertension or diabetes.Carotid artery calcifications (CACs) were detected in 12 arteries, 2 of which had significant stenosis in the diabetic group. In the hypertensive group, 4 arteries were calcified with no significant stenosis as seen on Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) . The prevalence ratio was 1.7 for the hypertensive group and 1.3 for the diabetic group. The ratio of significant stenosis patients with CACs on either side was high enough to necessitate the use of DUS as a costeffective screening method and as a life-saving measure for postmenopausal women at a high risk of vascular diseases. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2014; 7: (2), pp. 42-48)