Frequency of Abnormal Intima Media Thickness of Carotid Artery in Obese Individuals by Colour Doppler Ultrasonography

Objectives: To determine the frequency of abnormal Intima media thickness of Carotid artery in obese individuals by using color Doppler ultrasonography. Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Radiology Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: From August 2011 to june 2012, Methodology: A total of 96 patients were enrolled in this study. LOGIC 5 Doppler ultrasound machine was used. B-mode ultrasonography of common carotid arteries was performed on both sides with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer. Intima media thickness was accessed in the distal wall of common carotid artery of both sides 1.0 cm proximal to carotid bulb. Results: Mean age of the patients was observed 50.1±5.9 years. Abnormal intima media thickness in right common carotid artery (RCCA) was found to be in 46 (47.9%) patients and in 45 (46.8%) patients in left common carotid artery (LCCA). Mean values of intima-media thickness (IMTs), luminal diameters (LD) and flow velocity (FV) systolic and diastolic of right common carotid artery (RCCA) as follows, 0.74±0.17, 6.90±0.93, 78.91±17.03 and 21.50±5.67, respectively. Mean values of intima-media thickness (IMTs), luminal diameters (LD) and flow velocity (FV) systolic and diastolic of left common carotid artery (LCCA) as follows, 0.74±0.15, 6.85±0.72, 76.58±12.49 and 20.41±5.14, respectively. Conclusion: Carotid intima-media thickness testing by using Colour Doppler Ultrasonography is a powerful and noninvasive tool in the early detection of atherosclerotic plaques and carotid artery wall thickening and is an independent predictor of strokes and heart attacks.