Key result
Patients with a history of splenectomy had significantly higher mean carotid artery intima-media thickness compared to controls (median 0.08 mm vs 0.06 mm, p=0.008), suggesting an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
Why the study?
Metabolic effects of splenectomy, particularly on lipid metabolism, remain debated, and its effects on atherosclerosis in humans required investigation.
Does prior splenectomy increase carotid artery intima-media thickness (a surrogate for atherosclerosis) in human patients?
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
No
Does prior splenectomy increase carotid artery intima-media thickness (a surrogate for atherosclerosis) in human patients?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.08% vs 0.06%
p-value: p=0.008
Prior splenectomy is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness, suggesting these patients may have an elevated risk for atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular events.
Prior splenectomy was associated with higher CAIMT; hypothesis-generating for elevated atherosclerosis risk and requires prospective validation.
Objective: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process characterized by the accumulation of lipid and inflammatory cells in the walls of medium and large arteries. Metabolic effects of splenectomy are less known, especially the effects on lipid metabolism is a debate. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of splenectomy on atherosclerosis in humans. Methods: The data of 280 patients who underwent a splenectomy at a tertiary center between 2009-2016 were analyzed. The 50 patients were included in the study as a splenectomy group. In addition, 50 patients who applied to our outpatient clinic between January 2021 and August 2021 with similar characteristics to those in the splenectomy group except for splenectomy were included in the study as a non-splenectomy group. Atherosclerosis was evaluated by measuring the right, left, and the mean carotid artery intima-media thickness (CAIMT). Results: All measurements were significantly higher in the splenectomy group (p=0.010 for left CAIMT, p=0.011 for right CAIMT and p=0.008 for mean CAIMT). Conclusion: The CAIMT measurements were higher and therefore atherosclerosis risk was increased in patients with splenectomy. For this reason, it should be kept in mind that these patients may develop cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems due to atherosclerosis and should be followed up in this respect.
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Güneş et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Atherosclerosis (n=100). Splenectomy vs. Non-splenectomy was evaluated on Mean carotid artery intima-media thickness (CAIMT) (p=0.008). Patients with a history of splenectomy had significantly higher mean carotid artery intima-media thickness compared to controls (median 0.08 mm vs 0.06 mm, p=0.008), suggesting an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
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