Carotid artery Intima-Media thickness and cardiovascular risk factors in chronic hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) correlates with cardiovascular mortality in patients under hemodialysis. In this investigation, we evaluated relationship between CCA-IMT with dependent and independent cardiovascular risk factors in chronic hemodialysis patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 51 chronic hemodialysis patients, (31 males and 20 females) were enrolled. left and right CCA-IMT were measured using high resolution B-mode ultra sonography and maximum measure was considered. Based on ultra sonographic findings, patients were divided into two groups, one with carotid intima thickness of ≥0.8mm and another group with carotid intima thickness of <0.8mm. Data was analyzed, using Minitab software. Results: Mean age of these with carotid intima thickness ≥0.8mm was significantly higher than these with carotid intima thickness <0.80mm (P<0.05), (60.7±8.4 vs 41.3±18.7). Although, there were differences in hemodialysis duration, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood cholesterol and triglyceride LDL, diabetes and smoking history of these two groups, but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: This study indicates that there is no significant correlation between CCA-IMT and cardiovascular risk factors in chronic hemodialysis patients