Assessment of Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Hypertensive Individuals by B-Mode Ultrasonography

Aim: To assess the frequency of increased common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in hypertensive individuals by B Mode carotid ultrasonography. Study design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Radiology, BVH, Bahawalpur. From 10-10-2012 to 10-04-2013. Methodology: A total of 101 hypertensive patients with age ranges from 35-65 years of both gender with duration of HTN from 1-20 years were selected. Patients of IHD, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemias, H/o of smoking and pregnant females were excluded. Measurement of intima-media thickness of common carotid artery was done by B mode ultrasonography . Measurement of max. distance between the leading border of the luminal echo to the leading border of the media-adventitia echo was done. This measurement was taken as thickness of the intima and media i.e. IM complex. It was taken as increased when IMT is >0.8mm bilaterally Results: Out of 101 patients, 68.3% were male and 31.7% were females with ratio of 2.2:1. Majority of patients 87(82.2%) were taking anti-hypertensive medication and out of these, 68 (81.9%) were on regular medication. Mean +/- SD value of hypertension duration was 13 +/- 4.7 years. IMT of common carotid artery in 94.1% in hypertensive subjects by ultrasonography and only 5.9% subjects had normal IMT. Conclusion: In hypertensive subjects, IMT of common carotid artery is increased. It is concluded that B-mode ultrasonound of common carotid arteries might be used as a screening procedure in every hypertensive subjects.