![]() ![]() carotid plaque: uses in patient care, genetic research and evaluation of new therapies. Measurement of intima-media thickness vs. Carotid plaque compared with intima‐media thickness as a predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular disease. Additionally, you could have a high risk score and never have a problem. That means that there is a chance you could still have disease even if your score is very good. However, like so many other things in medicine, this test is not 100% sensitive nor 100% specific. If your CIMT Test score shows low risk that is great news. IMT Score Relative Risk Of Clinical Event The grade provides a ratio of increased risk for a coronary event based on the age and gender as outlined below. 2ĬIMT uses a graphical illustration on the front page of the report to give a patient a “grade” of A through E based on comparing the actual IMT measurement to outcome data from a database of 40,000 patients with an average 6-year follow-up based on age and gender. Progression or regression of total plaque area is more sensitive to effects of therapy than IMT. Plaques grow along the carotid arteries 2.4x faster than they thicken. IMT and plaque are biologically and genetically distinct and thus respond differently to therapies for atherosclerosis. The total plaque area is the most strongly predictive of cardiovascular risk of all of the ultrasound phenotypes. Lipid rich plaques appear to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. If the plaque becomes large, it can reduce the flow of blood to critical areas.Ĭarotid plaque is most closely correlated with hyperlipidemia and smoking. It occurs when plaque intrudes into the lumen. Stenosis is the amount of blockage of the artery. It is possible to have normal IMT and yet lesions may be present. Plaque may be soft, mixed or calcified as outlined on of the report. Plaque or lesions develop when atherosclerosis in the arterial wall intrudes into the lumen. This is why it is important to get this test annually.Ĭarotid IMT is most closely correlated with hypertension and ischemic stroke. That is, how much the CIMT changes over a year. However, it is also important that we know the CIMTAR or the CIMT Accretion Rate. This is our goal.Ĭertainly, the actual thickness is important. Then, there is the actual thickness of the intima-media layers. This is a painless, harmless test that uses sound waves to create an image of the carotid arteries and the plaque inside them. Patients in whom carotid artery disease is suspected are usually tested using a carotid Doppler ultrasound. The result of this test should be interpreted in conjunction with your medical history, symptoms, known risk factors, and other test results. Dizziness, numbness, weakness or a severe headache may be signs of a TIA caused by a blocked carotid artery. Normal or thin Carotid IMT does not completely exclude coronary artery disease. The zone assigned is age and gender specific to you. Your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke is graded by zone. The CIMT Test report provides quite a bit of information and it is broken down in to sections. This is one post in a series of posts on CIMT Testing and will give you the information you need in order to read your CIMT Test Report. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |