New findings in angiology described from Baskent University, Medical Department

   "Patients with known cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, hyperlipidemia, abnormal laboratory results, smoking, or age over 50 years were excluded. Forty-eight patients (43 women, 5 men, mean age 39.7 +/- 8.3 years) with RMS without risk factors were enrolled in the study. Age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (n = 48; 43 women, 5 men, mean age 39.6 +/- 8.6 years) with normal echocarcliographic findings constituted the control group. Carotid IMT was determined by using a high-resolution ultrasound system equipped with a 7-MHz imaging probe (Acuson 128 XP CI) with a computer measurement software. The mean common carotid artery IMT thicknesses both in the right (0.604 +/- 0.112 mm vs 0.521 +/- 0.072 mm) and in the left side (0.581 +/- 0.097 mm vs 0.516 +/- 0.065 mm) were significantly higher in patients with RMS than in the control group (p < 0.001). Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis identified RMS as independent predictors of increased IMT (OR, 17.25 (CI, 3.99 to 76.28), p< 0.001). The present study demonstrated that RMS is associated with increased IMT," wrote S. Demircan and colleagues, Baskent University, Medical Department.

   The researchers concluded: "The findings indicate that in patients with RMS not only valvular but also systemic endothelium is damaged."

   Demircan and colleagues published their study in Angiology (Intima-media thickness in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Angiology, 2007;58(5):614-619).

   For additional information, contact S. Demircan, Baskent University, School Medical, Dept. of Cardiology, Dadaloglu Mahallesi 39, Sok 6, TR-1250 Adana, Turkey.

   Publisher contact information for the journal Angiology is: Sage Publications Inc., 2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

   Keywords: Turkey, Adana, Angiology, Cardiology, Carotid Artery, Cerebrovascular Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Stenosis, Baskent University, Medical Department.

   This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.

Return to Heart Disease Alert Section