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Ultrasound: Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque (2D–3D)

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Book cover Assessment of Preclinical Organ Damage in Hypertension

Abstract

High-resolution ultrasound of the carotid arteries allows the measurement of intima-media complex in the arterial wall, according to a validated method, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is the most widely accepted noninvasive marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. New echo-tracking techniques may allow more precise measurement of common carotid IMT. The presence of a carotid plaque has the greatest prognostic significance. Ultrasound methodology has manifest benefits, being real time, noninvasive, low cost, reliable, and safe.

In the presence of increased IMT or plaque in the carotid arteries, an aggressive approach to risk factor modifications should be considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25121, Brescia, Italy

    Enrico Agabiti Rosei MD, Massimo Salvetti & Maria Lorenza Muiesan

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  1. Enrico Agabiti Rosei MD
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  2. Massimo Salvetti
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  3. Maria Lorenza Muiesan
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Correspondence to Enrico Agabiti Rosei MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Enrico Agabiti Rosei

  2. IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy

    Giuseppe Mancia

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Rosei, E.A., Salvetti, M., Muiesan, M.L. (2015). Ultrasound: Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque (2D–3D). In: Agabiti Rosei, E., Mancia, G. (eds) Assessment of Preclinical Organ Damage in Hypertension. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15603-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15603-3_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15602-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15603-3

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