Intima-Media Thickness Does Not Differ between Two Common Carotid Artery Segments in Children

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 11;11(3):e0149057. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149057. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a surrogate marker of early atherosclerotic changes in children. cIMT-studies are hard to compare, due to variations in ultrasound protocols, especially regarding the common carotid artery (CCA) segment measured in relation to the bulb. This study's purpose was therefore to compare two distinct CCA segments in children, to see if cIMT values differ substantially according to the site of measurement. cIMT was assessed after power calculation in 30 children (15 girls) aged 8-17, using B-Mode ultrasound (5-13 MHz) at two CCA locations. The first measurement was performed over a distance of 1 cm immediately after the bulb (A), the second 1cm proximal the bulb (B) over the same distance of 1cm length. Means of end-diastolic far wall cIMT were compared between measurement A and B. cIMT in 30 participants was 0.51±0.06 mm for measurement A and 0.51±0.05 mm for measurement B. Results did not differ significantly (p = .947) over a distance of 2 cm after the bulb. According to our results, studies measuring CCA IMT within the first 2 cm, either close to the bulb or further proximal, can be compared. This will improve interpretation of data and application of reference values.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Carotid Artery, Common / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male

Grants and funding

The study was funded by Sternstunden e.V. (non-profit organization) and district office Berchtesgadener Land, Germany. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.