[Intima media thickness in patients with vertebrobasilar and carotid stenosis/occlusions]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of atherosclerosis in patients with stenoses or occlusions in the vertebrobasilar system (VBS) and the carotid system (CS).

The Intima-Media-Thickness (IMT) and the diameter of the common carotid artery (CCA) (as parameters of the proliferative and dilatative form of atherosclerosis) were measured on both sides on areas of vessel wall without stenoses and plaques. We examined of the neck 134 people, including 32 normal healthy counds, 57 patients with stenoses or occlusions in the CS and 16 patients with macroangiopathy exclusively in the VBS (following doppler- and duplex sonographical criteria).

In control persons, a IMT of 0.67 +/- 0.2 mm and a CCA-diameter of 5.8 +/- 1.2 mm was found. Patients with CS-macroangiopathy exhibited a statistically significant increase in IMT with 0.97 +/- 0.2 mm (p < 0.001) and dilatation of the CCA (6.6 +/- 1.2 mm, p < 0.01). In comparison to the controls we also found a significant increase in IMT (0.86 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.001) and in diameter (6.8 +/- 0.9 mm, p < 0.01) in patients with VBS-macroangiopathy. There was no significant difference between both groups, despite a tendency of less severe changes in patients suffering from VBS-macroangiopathy. Patients with diabetes (1.1 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.001), with hypertension (0.99 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.05) and with coronary heart disease (0.96 +/- 0.2 mm, p < 0.05) showed a significant increase in IMT.

Parameters of generalized atherosclerosis do not significantly differ between patients with stenoses or occlusions in the VBS and patients with changes in the CS and are correlated to the classical risk factors.