Stenosi delle arterie carotidi interne e fattori di rischio cardiovascolari in un gruppo di pazienti ultrasessantacinquenni

Background. In the present study, the degree of stenosis of internal carotid arteries and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors are examined. Methods. Two hundred patients underwent high resolution B-mode echotomography of the carotid arteries; furthermore, the presence of associated cardiovascular risk factors was considered. Results. Small stenosis (<16%) were reported in 113 (56.5%) patients; moderate stenosis (16-49%) were reported in 58 (29%) patients; severe stenosis (50-79%) were reported in 19 (9.5%) patients; subocclusive stenosis (80-99%) were reported in 2 (1%) patients; occlusions were reported in 8 (4%) patients. One hundred and fifty patients (75%) presented one or more associated cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertension was present in 122 (61%) patients; hypercholesterolemia in 43 (21.5%) patients; diabetes mellitus in 41 (20.5%) patients; 26 (13%) patients were smokers. Conclusions. According to other studies, stenosis <50% were the most frequent (85.5%) in the subjects examined. Stenosis ≥50% were more frequent in males than females. Hypertension was the most frequent associated cardiovascular risk factor; therefore the degree of stenosis increased with the increasing number of cardiovascular risk factors.