Early carotid atherosclerosis in women: results of an ultrasonographic study measuring carotid artery intima-media thickness.

Ultrasonography (US) is a useful diagnostic tool in detecting early vascular diseases in women and is particularly relevant in the elderly population. Increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is a predictive marker of onset of atherosclerosis and is associated with vascular events. The objective of the present study was to determine carotid artery IMT in asymptomatic women of different age classes and to correlate the results with metabolic and coagulative parameters, age, and menopause. A total of 1200 women age 29-73 years selected from the electoral list of the city of Catania, Italy consented to participate in the US study to determine IMT. The percentage of IMT values exceeding an IMT cutoff value of < 1.3 mm observed in our study groups was significant. Correlations were observed between IMT and total cholesterol (r = .157), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r = .87), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (r = .149), and fibrinogen (r = .140) values. Increased ultrasonographic markers showing onset of carotid artery remodeling can be observed in asymptomatic women of all ages. Some cardiovascular risk factors are linked to the initial stages of atherosclerosis. We recommend US screening in healthy populations to identify subjects who could develop vascular disease.