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Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
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Carotid intima-media thickness correlation with lipid profile in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia versus

Samia Perwaiz Khan1, Khwaja Zafar Ahmed, Zia Yaqub

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin University, Karachi. samiaperwaiz@hotmail.com

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|February 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is elevated in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients and strongly correlates with LDL cholesterol. Increased CIMT predicts premature cardiovascular disease risk in FH individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Medical Imaging
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder leading to high LDL cholesterol levels.
  • This elevated cholesterol significantly increases the risk of premature cardiovascular diseases.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess CIMT variations in FH patients.
  • To evaluate CIMT as a predictive marker for early cardiovascular disease in FH.
  • To correlate CIMT with lipid profiles, specifically LDL cholesterol.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving FH patients and age-matched controls.
  • Clinical diagnosis of FH based on established criteria including premature coronary disease and xanthomas.
  • Measurement of CIMT using B-mode ultrasonography and correlation with LDL levels via Pearson's test.

Main Results:

  • FH patients exhibited significantly higher mean CIMT (0.77 ± 0.18 mm) compared to controls (0.59 ± 0.08 mm).
  • A substantial correlation was found between mean CIMT and LDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.725, p < 0.001).
  • Arterial plaques were present in 25% of FH cases.

Conclusions:

  • CIMT is significantly increased in individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia.
  • Elevated CIMT in FH patients correlates with high LDL-cholesterol levels.
  • Both increased CIMT and elevated LDL-cholesterol are predictive markers for premature cardiovascular diseases in FH.
Abstract

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