Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Índice de Massa Corporal , Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Complicações do Diabetes/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipertensão/complicações , Incidência , Itália/epidemiologia , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólica/complicações , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/complicações , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Sicília/epidemiologia , Fumar/efeitos adversosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between carotid and aortic atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects. METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive patients without history of cardio- and cerebrovascular disease, referred for transesophageal echocardiography, were enrolled into the study. RESULTS: Aortic plaques were found in 40 out of 83 patients, whereas carotid atherosclerosis was present in 43% of the entire study population and in 75% of patients with aortic atherosclerosis (30 out of 40 patients). At multivariate logistic analysis, the presence of carotid atherosclerosis was a predictor of aortic atheroma, independently of traditional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients, aortic plaque occurrence may reflect the presence of carotid plaques and an ultrasound assessment should be advised.
