Relationship of carotid distensibility and thoracic aorta calcification: multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Stiffening of the central elastic arteries is one of the earliest detectable manifestations of adverse change within the vessel wall. Although an association between carotid artery stiffness and adverse events has been demonstrated, little is known about the relationship between stiffness and atherosclerosis. Even less is known about the impact of age, sex, and race on this association. To elucidate this question, we used baseline data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000-2002). Carotid artery distensibility coefficient was calculated after visualization of the instantaneous waveform of the common carotid diameter using a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Thoracic aorta calcification was identified using noncontrast cardiac computed tomography. We found a strong associatio

SUBMITTER: Blaha MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4118641 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature