[Prediction of Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis With Parameters of Negative for Ischemia Exercise Testing]

to elucidate relationship between parameters of negative ischemic stress test and subclinical atherosclerosis of carotid arteries.

Electrocardiographic stress test on treadmill and ultrasound study of carotid arteries (CA) were carried out in 204 patients (100women and 104 men, mean age 54.16+/-8.07 years without verified ischemic heart disease and with more or equal 1 traditional factors of cardiovascular risk). Measurements of intima media thickness (IMT) in three extracranial CA segments and identification of atherosclerotic plaques (AP) were used for detection of subclinical atherosclerosis. CA total atherosclerotic plaque area (TAPA) was calculated when appropriate.

Multifactorial regression analysis revealed the following predictors of increased IMT and TAPA: physical working capacity, increment and reserve of heart rate (HR), HR restoration, and increment of systolic arterial pressure (SAP). Presence of atherosclerotic plaque was associated with SAP rise >42% during exercise test and slow HR restoration ( less or equal 42 bpm at 2-nd minute of recovery period).

Analysis of nonelectrocardiographic parameters of negative relative to ischemia induction exercise test allows predicting severity of atherosclerotic changes in CA. The information obtained can supplement assessment of traditional factors of cardiovascular risk.