Tissue characterization identifies subjects with high risk of cardiovascular diseases

• Published in: Diabetes research and clinical practice Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 93 - 102
• Main Authors: Katakami, Naoto, Yamasaki, Yoshimitsu, Kosugi, Keisuke, Waki, Hidehiko, Matsuhisa, Munehide, Kajimoto, Yoshitaka, Masuyama, Tohru, Hori, Masatsugu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.02.2004
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Arteriosclerosis - pathology; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - complications; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Carotid Arteries - pathology; Carotid artery; Coronary Disease - pathology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - pathology; Female; Humans; Integrated backscatter; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction - pathology; Odds Ratio; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Tissue characterization; Tunica Intima - pathology; Tunica Media - pathology; Integrated backscatter; Carotid artery; Cardiovascular diseases; Tissue characterization; Atherosclerosis
• ISSN: 0168-8227; 1872-8227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2003.08.014

Objective: This study was conducted to examine whether tissue characterization of the carotid artery wall by determining integrated backscatter (IBS) can identify subjects with a recent history of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or atherothrombotic infarction (ATI). Research design and methods: The maximum thickness (Max-IMT) and IBS value (corrected-IBS) of the carotid artery intima–media complex were measured ultrasonographically for 132 type 2 diabetic subjects (62.9±8.5 (±S.D.) years old, 87 men and 45 women) with or without cardiovascular diseases. Results: The diabetic patients with recent ACS or ATI had a significantly lower corrected-IBS and higher Max-IMT than those with Max-IMT ≧ 1.1 mm but without cardiovascular diseases. The product of Max-IMT and corrected-IBS (IMT-IBS product) of the patients with recent ACS was significantly lower than that of the patients with chronic stable angina. The multiple logistic model showed that only the IMT-IBS product was associated with a recent history of ACS (odds ratio 0.94, P<0.05) and ATI (odds ratio 0.90, P<0.005). Conclusions: Diabetic patients who had a recent history of ACS or ATI showed a lower IBS value and higher IMT for their carotid artery. Both the size and tissue characteristics of the carotid plaque may identify subjects with a high risk of cardiovascular disease.