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Journal of Echocardiography
Published in: Journal of Echocardiography 3/2016

01-09-2016 | Original Investigation

Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with left ventricular diastolic function

Authors: Masahiko Harada, Satoshi Tabako

Published in: Journal of Echocardiography | Issue 3/2016

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Abstract

Background

It has been reported that carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) correlates with the risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships between echocardiographic findings and carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods

A total of 234 patients (62 ± 15 years) were referred for echocardiography to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) function. The LV ejection fraction, the ratio of the peak velocity of early rapid filling and the peak velocity of atrial filling (E/A), and the peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e′) were obtained by echocardiography. The maximum IMT (Max-IMT) and plaque score (PS) were measured by carotid ultrasonography within 1 month of the echocardiographic examination.

Results

The mean values of Max-IMT and carotid PS were 2.41 ± 1.23 mm and 8.5 ± 6.3, respectively. The decreased mean E/A (0.94 ± 0.39) and mitral e′ (5.5 ± 1.9 cm/s) indicated LV diastolic dysfunction. A good correlation was observed between Max-IMT and PS (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001). It was shown that 2.8 mm of Max-IMT was equivalent to 10.1 of carotid PS, which indicated severe carotid atherosclerosis. In multiple logistic stepwise regression analysis, among the echocardiographic parameters, only e′ was independently associated with severe carotid atherosclerosis (Max-IMT ≥ 2.8 mm or PS ≥ 10.1).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that decreased early diastolic mitral annular velocity relates to the parameter reflecting carotid atherosclerosis. Therefore, the presence of severe carotid atherosclerosis may affect LV diastolic dysfunction.
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Metadata
Title
Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with left ventricular diastolic function
Authors
Masahiko Harada
Satoshi Tabako
Publication date
01-09-2016
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Journal of Echocardiography / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1349-0222
Electronic ISSN: 1880-344X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12574-016-0296-2

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