Initial ultrasonographic investigation of carotid intima-media thickness in healthy older people

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to determine the normal range of the intima-media thickness that was measured in common carotid artery and carotid groove and evaluate the changes in measurement with age in 200 healthy adults (113 males, 87 females, from 15 to 93 years old) between August 1998 and December 1999. Results: On average, the intima-media thickness is 0.7+/-0.16 mm in common carotid artery and is 0.87+/-0.25 mm in carotid groove. There is not difference in the intima-media thickness of common carotid and carotid groove between left and right. The intima-media thickness of both common carotid artery and carotid groove is increased over age. There is a linear correlation between the intima-media thickness with age. The intima-media thickness of common carotid artery, but not of carotid groove, is higher in men than in women