BACKGROUND The carotid artery plaque score (PS) is an independent predictor of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). This study aims to evaluate the combination of PS and carotid hemodynamics to predict CHD. METHODS A total of 476 patients who underwent carotid ultrasonography and coronary angiography were divided into two groups depending on the presence of CHD. PS, carotid intima-media thickness, a...

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has emerged as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, OSA is frequently associated with several risk factors for atherosclerosis, including hypertension (HTN). The impact of OSA and HTN alone compared with the association of both conditions on carotid atherosclerosis is not understood. We studied 94 middle-aged participants free of smoking and dia...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We examined the associations of parental longevity with carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaques, and aortic arterial stiffness in adult offspring. METHODS A population of 1117 volunteers who participated in the SUVIMAX Vascular Study (mean age, 59.7 years; 49.0% women) were included. Carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) was used to assess aortic stiffness. ...

BACKGROUND The benefits of a decreased slice thickness and/or in-plane voxel size in carotid MRI for atherosclerotic plaque component quantification accuracy and biomechanical peak cap stress analysis have not yet been investigated in detail because of practical limitations. METHODS In order to provide a methodology that allows such an investigation in detail, numerical simulations of a T1-we...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Both carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and obesity are independent determinants of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of obesity is higher in Hispanics. The genetic basis of IMT and obesity has not been well-characterized in Caribbean Hispanics. The purpose of this study was to examine the genetic and environmental contributions to IMT and obesity in thi...

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular outcomes. Carotid artery intima-media thickness and ankle-arm index are non-invasive complementary measures as subclinical markers of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of carotid intima-media thickness, ankle-arm index, and inflammation profile in Mexican patients with early- and lat...

Background—It is currently unknown whether dietary weight loss interventions can induce regression of carotid atherosclerosis. Methods and Results—In a 2-year Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial–Carotid (DIRECT-Carotid) study, participants were randomized to low-fat, Mediterranean, or low-carbohydrate diets and were followed for changes in carotid artery intima-media thickness, mea...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rupture of the plaque fibrous cap and subsequent thrombosis are the major causes of stroke. This study evaluated morphologic features of plaque rupture in the carotid artery by using optical coherence tomography in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-six carotid plaques with high-grade stenosis were prospectively imaged by optical coherence tomography. "Plaque rupture" w...