SONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS OF CAROTID ARTERIES - A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of the literature that has examined carotid arteries using ultrasonography in order to better explain the association between diabetes, hypertension, and intima-media thickness (IMT). The goal of this study was also to get a precise evaluation of increasing intima-media thickness predictive value for clinical cardiovascular outcomes. From 2000 through 2021, we searched the Google Scholar, NCBI, PubMed, and Medscape databases. The following essential keywords were looked up: ultrasound of carotid arteries, ultrasound of common carotid arteries intima-media thickness, and carotid IMT in diabetes and hypertension.

Of the 135 retained studies the percentage of detection was used to calculate the diseases that affect intima–media thickness. As a result following were the causes that alter intima–media thickness: diabetes and hypertension at 81.4 % and 80 % respectively. Coronary artery disease at 21.4%, dyslipidemia and stroke at 14.8% and 5.2% respectively. Microalbuminuria at 3%. However, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) at an equal effect of 2.2%, MI at 1.5%. Breast arterial calcification, polycystic kidneys and glomerulonephritis at an equal effect of 0.7%. In conclusion, patients with hypertension and diabetes are most at risk of developing coronary artery disease.