[Bilateral and monolateral dolichoarteriopathies (Kinking, Coiling, Tortuosity) of the carotid arteries and atherosclerotic disease. An ultrasonographic study].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study, performed in outpatients, is to evaluate, using echo color Doppler examination, atherosclerotic lesions of extracranial carotid arteries in subjects with bilateral, and monolateral dolichoarteriopathies.
METHODS: A total of 316 subjects, 77 with bilateral and 239 with monolateral dolichoarteriopathies, were studied. Patients were divided into: 79 subjects without cardiovascular risk factors and 237 subjects with cardiovascular risk factors (98 with arterial hypertension alone, 85 with arterial hypertension associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, 54 with hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, cigarette smoking, alone or associated). Myointimal thickness, as a mean of 5 measurements at common carotid level, 2-3 cm from flow-divider and plaques as a focal thickness =/> 2 mm, were evaluated.
RESULTS: In 77 patients with bilateral dolichoarteriopathies, compared to 239 patients with monolateral dolichoarteriopathies, there were no differences in myointimal thickening, and in the prevalence of carotid plaques; no difference was observed between sexes. Both in subjects with and without cardiovascular risk factors myointimal thickness and carotid plaques didn't show any significant differences in bilateral compared with monolateral dolichoarteriopathies.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, bilateral, compared with monolateral, dolichoarteriopathies of the carotids, do not seem to be a consequence of atherosclerotic lesions.