[The plasma fibrinogen as a marker of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis]. / Il fibrinogeno plasmatico come indicatore di aterosclerosi carotidea subclinica.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study is to evaluate if plasma fibrinogen levels could correlate with carotid lesions. METHODS: We investigated the plasmatic levels of fibrinogen in 100 patients with asymptomatic carotid lesions, examined at ultrasound, and with at least one traditional cardiovascular risk factor. RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between plasma fibrinogen levels and severity of carotid lesions: intima-media thickness (p < 0.001), stenosis <70% (p < 0.002), stenosis 270% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, high plasmatic levels of fibrinogen significantly correlate with the thickness of carotid wall in asymptomatic subjects.