Abstract
Background and Purpose:
Carotid plaque (CP) and increased carotid artery stiffness (STIFF) are intermediate pre-clinical markers of atherosclerosis and important predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and ischemic stroke (IS). This study sought to investigate the association between STIFF and carotid plaque burden (plaque number; total plaque area-TPA) in a multiethnic population-based cohort from the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS).
Methods:
We used multivariable-adjusted regression models to examine the independent associations of STIFF with plaque number (negative binomial regression) and TCAP (multinomial logistic regression) among 876 subjects with carotid ultrasound imaging assessments and free of stroke and myocardial infarction.
Results:
Prevalence of CP was 57%. Among those with plaque, the mean TPA was 22.61±23.00 mm
2
, median=14.83. The mean STIFF was 6.66±0.63. STIFF was positively associated with the number of carotid plaques in multivariable-adjusted models. An association was also suggested between STIFF and TPA, but it was attenuated slightly and lost statistical significance after adjusting for anti-hypertensive medication use and vascular risk factors.
Conclusion:
Exploring the possible interrelationships between the vascular structure and function may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and better preventive treatments of vascular diseases.