Carotid intima-media thickness as a measure of vascular target organ damage.

This paper summarizes important investigations published within the past 2 years that use B-mode carotid ultrasound and measurements of intima-media thickness or plaque to elucidate the relationship between traditional or novel risk factors for the development of atherosclerotic or arteriosclerotic disease. This methodology is proposed as an extremely useful, noninvasive tool with proven ability to show cross-sectional associations with cardiovascular risk factors, prevalence of vascular disease, and predictive power. The method appears highly suited to the goal of detecting asymptomatic vascular target organ damage, which may greatly assist with assessment of risk and selection of appropriate, preventive, strategies for management of disease.