Is Carotid Plaque a Predictor of Vascular Events?

In an observational study, a simple, noninvasive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis added predictive power to the Framingham Risk Score.

Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. To assess the role of maximum carotid plaque thickness (MCPT) in ischemic stroke, MI, and vascular death, investigators performed carotid ultrasound on 2189 participants (mean age, 68) in the population-based Northern Manhattan Study. Subjects were 52% Caribbean Hispanic, 25% black, and 22% white; 40% were male.

Overall, 1263 subjects (58%) had carotid plaque; plaque was most prevalent among non-Hispanics and current smokers, subjects 65 or older, and those with a history of hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, or low-density lipoprotein levels ≥130 mg/dL. The mean MCPT was 1.1 mm (75th percentile, 1.9 mm). Only 69 participants had stenosis >40%. After m…

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Is Carotid Plaque a Predictor of Vascular Events?

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Reviewing Author