Preclinical atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome increase cardio- and cerebrovascular events rate: a 20-year follow up

摘要

Background Intima-media thickness (IMT) is a validated marker of preclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Patients We studied a population of 529 asymptomatic patients (age 62?±?12.8?years), divided into two groups of subjects with and without Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Methods All patients, at baseline, have had a carotid ultrasound evaluation and classified in two subgroups: the first one without atherosclerotic lesions and the second one with preclinical atherosclerosis (increased IMT or asymptomatic carotid plaque). Cardiovascular endpoints were investigated in a 20-years follow-up. Results There were 242 cardiovascular events: 144 among patients with MetS and 98 among in healthy controls (57.4% vs. 35.2%; P? Conclusions Preclinical atherosclerosis leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially if it is associated with MetS.