Sonographic normative values of carotid intima-media thickness in an adult Nigerian population

Abstract

Background: The thickness of the intima-media complex of the Common carotid artery (CCA) has been advanced as a reliable measurement of the degree of atherosclerosis in the CCA and the coronary artery. We set out to determine the baseline values of this complex in a Nigerian population so as to determine standards for abnormalities.

Method: This prospective study was conducted on 100 normal patients aged 21years and above. The CCAs were scanned using GE Logic 5 color Doppler scanner (2007) with 7.5MHz linear probe. Two measurements of the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were obtained at 1cm proximal to the right and left carotid bulbs and the mean value of the two measurements was recorded. The mean values were then analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.

Results: The age range of participants was 21-70 years with a mean age of 45.26 ±12.95 years. We observed the mean CIMT of 0.61±0.12mm with the overall right and left mean CIMT of 0.61±0.12mm and 0.61±0.13mm respectively. No significant difference was seen between the two sides. CIMT in the study population increased with age, with a maximal value of 0.82±0.05mm recorded among the 61-70 year age group. Male subjects had higher CIMT values than females. CIMT values were higher in overweight, compared to underweight, subjects.

Conclusion: This study showed different values of CIMT according to age and gender variations. However, the values obtained were slightly different from previous values from other African and Caucasian populations.