Control of the progress of arteriosclerosis in high risk subjects treated with mesoglycan. Measuring the intima media

Noninvasive ultrasonic biopsy (UB) can be used to classify arteriosclerotic lesions and their progression in the carotid and femoral bifurcation. Also the evaluation of intima-media thickness (IMT) is useful to quantify the progression of early arteriosclerosis. Two randomly selected groups of asymp...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inMinerva cardioangiologica Vol. 46; no. 3; p. 41
Main Authors Laurora, G, Cesarone, M R, Belcaro, G, De Sanctis, M T, Pomante, P, Incandela, L, Romandini, S, Dugall, M
Format Journal Article
LanguageItalian
Published Italy 01.03.1998
Subjects
Arteriosclerosis - diagnostic imaging
Arteriosclerosis - drug therapy
Arteriosclerosis - pathology
Biopsy
Carotid Arteries - diagnostic imaging
Carotid Arteries - physiopathology
Femoral Artery - diagnostic imaging
Femoral Artery - physiopathology
Glycosaminoglycans - therapeutic use
Humans
Risk Factors
Ultrasonography
Vascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging
Vascular Diseases - drug therapy
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Noninvasive ultrasonic biopsy (UB) can be used to classify arteriosclerotic lesions and their progression in the carotid and femoral bifurcation. Also the evaluation of intima-media thickness (IMT) is useful to quantify the progression of early arteriosclerosis. Two randomly selected groups of asymptomatic subjects were included in a 18 month, open study. One group was treated with oral mesoglycan (200 mg/day) and one group was followed-up as control. The two groups were comparable for age and sex distribution. The average UB score was 14.4 +/- 5 in the treatment group and 14.3 +/- 8 in the control group. After 18 months the UB score was 15.7 +/- 4 in the treatment and 16.2 +/- 6 in the control group. The average increase in IMT in 18 months in the treatment group was 0.016 mm equivalent to 0.0106 mm per year. In the control group the average increase was 0.119 equivalent to 0.0793 per year. Therefore the increase in IMT was 7.48 times greater in the control group. These differences were significant (p < 0.05). Two drop-outs were recorded in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. In conclusion IMT measurements showed a decreased level of IMT progression in subjects under mesoglycan treatment. These results need to be confirmed by a larger randomised study.
ISSN:0026-4725