The triple line pattern on carotid intima media thickness imaging and its relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in patients on lipid lowering therapy

Abstract

Background

Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) infrequently identifies a triple line pattern (TLP) in the visualization of the internal elastic lamina. We examined the prevalence and predictors of the TLP among a consecutive series of subjects enrolled in a CIMT clinical trial, and also the effects of lipid lowering therapy.

Methods

Baseline CIMT studies of subjects with known heart disease, or high risk for heart disease, were evaluated from a single site of the Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol 6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies in Atherosclerosis trial (N=120). One sonographer obtained four views of the right and left far wall common CIMT, using a 13 MHz ultrasound probe. Images were blindly reviewed for the presence of the TLP. The TLP was defined as absent (0), possible (1), or definite (2). A composite score from all four views was calculated. A patient was defined as having the TLP if the composite score was ≥4. Univariate predictors of the TLP were explored. Follow-up ultrasounds at 14 months were also reviewed for presence of the TLP.

Results

The prevalence of the TLP at baseline was 22.5%. Among cardiovascular risk variables, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in subjects displaying the TLP (141.3±15.6 mmHg versus 133.1±18.4 mmHg; P=0.036). There were no differences among those with, and without, the TLP, with respect to other cardiovascular risk variables (age, sex, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, glucose, weight, waist girth, tobacco use, medications, quantitative CIMT), or image quality. During ongoing lipid lowering therapy, the prevalence of the TLP increased to 54.2% (P<0.001). However, it was unrelated to changes in lipid concentrations or cardiovascular risk variables.

Conclusion

The TLP in CIMT imaging is commonly identifiable using high-frequency ultrasound, and appears to be associated with higher systolic blood pressure. Its prevalence and incidence is unrelated to lipid parameters.

Keywords:

• risk factors
• HTN
• atherosclerosis
• CIMT

Beyond quantitative assessment of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), qualitative characteristics of carotid ultrasound imaging provide the potential to extend the image-based assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis. One such potential pattern (recognized in about 1 in 5 individuals) is known as the triple line pattern (TLP), from the visualization of the internal elastic lamina within the arterial wall. The TLP appearance has previously been associated with renal fibromuscular dysplasia and Takayasu’s arteritis.^1,2 The TLP has also been described in populations beyond these disease entities, including general populations, with a prevalence of approximately 20%.³ However, the presence of TLP has not yet been studied among candidates likely to undergo CIMT imaging, such as those considered for lipid lowering therapy, and detailed assessments of its relationships to cardiovascular variables are needed. To further extend our understanding of the significance of the ultrasound morphology of the CIMT, we examined the prevalence and predictors of the TLP among a consecutive series of subjects enrolled in a CIMT clinical trial of lipid lowering therapy.

Methods

Study population

The subjects were enrolled in the Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol 6-HDL and LDL Treatment Strategies in Atherosclerosis (ARBITER-6-HALTS) trial.⁴ The study patient population selection, methods, and results have been previously described.⁴ The inclusion criteria for study subjects were age ≥30 years; with known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease equivalent; taking statin monotherapy at a consistent dose at the time of enrollment; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) <100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L); and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) <50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L), in men, or HDL-C <55 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L) in women, documented on a lipid panel within 3 months of enrollment. For the purpose of this study, baseline and 14-month follow-up CIMT studies from a single site of the ARBITER-6-HALTS trial were evaluated.

B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries

The protocol for CIMT assessment has been described previously.⁵ In brief, the mean and maximal diastolic CIMT of the distal 1 cm of the far wall of the right and left common carotid arteries were measured. A single sonographer obtained four views of the right and left far wall common CIMT using a 13 MHz ultrasound probe. The carotid ultrasound examinations were performed at baseline, 8 months and 14 months. The baseline and 14-month images were blindly reviewed for the presence of a TLP. The TLP was assessed as absent (0), possible (1), or definite (2) in each of the views. It was defined as an additional interface, visibly apparent between the intima media component of the common carotid artery (Figure 1). A composite score from all four views was calculated, and a patient was considered to have the TLP if this score was ≥4.

Figure 1 CIMT images showing sample patients in whom TLP (arrow) is absent (left) and present (right).

Note: There is a visible horizontal interface between the upper and lower CIMT border.
Abbreviations: CIMT, carotid intima media thickness; TLP, triple line pattern.

In order to assess for intraobserver differences, the same observer reviewed a subset of the 14-month ultrasounds again after 1 year. Each ultrasound was graded for TLP as: absent (0), possible (1), or present (2). The scores assigned to 81 out of 88 images (92%) were within 1 point of each other (P<0.001). We also assessed for interobserver differences. Two observers graded 20 ultrasounds. The scores assigned to each image were within 1 point of each other in 18 of them (90%).

Statistical analysis

The prevalence of the TLP in our study population was determined first. Subsequently, univariate predictors of the TLP were explored. The prevalence of the TLP at baseline, and at 14 months, were compared using the two-tailed t-test. Univariate analysis was used to assess for differences in cardiovascular risk factors at baseline, compared with 14-month follow-up. Continuous variables were evaluated using a t-test for independent variables, or a Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate. Categorical variables were evaluated using the chi-square test. A two-sided P-value≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. SPSS version 16 statistical software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for all statistical analyses.

Results

A total of 120 subjects were evaluated. Baseline characteristics are shown in Table 1. The mean age of the subjects was 66.7±10.9 years. Hypertension was present in 93.3% of the subjects, and 41.7% had diabetes. All of the study patients were on statins, for a mean duration of 6.3±5.2 years prior to enrollment. Simvastatin was the most prevalent statin (59.2%). Among this patient population (on lipid lowering therapy), the prevalence of the TLP was 22.5% (N=27).

Table 1 Baseline demographics (N=120)

Age (years)	66.7±10.9
Male sex	100 (83.3%)
Female sex	20 (33.6%)
Statin used
Simvastatin	71 (59.2%)
Atorvastatin	45 (37.5%)
Pravastatin	4 (3.3%)
Initial statin dose (mg)	44±23
Duration of prior statin therapy (years)	6.3±5.2
Hypertension	112 (93.3%)
Diabetes	50 (41.7%)
Family history of heart disease	51 (42.5%)
Angina with positive stress test	43 (35.8%)
Angiographic CAD	73 (60.8%)
Prior myocardial infarction	39 (32.5%)
Prior percutaneous revascularization	36 (30%)
Prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery	37 (30.8%)
Prior stroke	1 (0.8%)
Heart failure	4 (3.3%)
Atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease	7 (5.8%)
Tobacco use
Non-smoker	100 (83.3%)
Ex-smoker ≥3 years	14 (11.7%)
Active smoker	6 (5%)
Weight (pounds)	204.1±39.1
Height (inches)	68.1±4.0
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	134.9±18.1
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	74.1±9.7
Pulse pressure (mmHg)	61±17
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)	146.1±27.7
Triglycerides (mg/dL)	141.9±77.0
High density lipoprotein (mg/dL)	42.5±8.4
Low density lipoprotein (mg/dL)	81.9±20.7
Very low density lipoprotein (mg/dL)	21.8±13.2
Median high sensitivity CRP (g/L)	1.9 (0.9–4.5)
Glucose (mg/dL)	104.0±29.1
Lipoprotein (a) (mg/dL)	78.4±16.5

Note: Totals presented as either mean ± SD or percentages.

Abbreviations: CAD, coronary artery disease; CRP, C-reactive protein; SD, standard deviation.

The presence of the TLP, and its association with cardiovascular risk factors, were explored, including LDL concentrations, dosage of statin, baseline CIMT, blood pressure, height, and weight (Table 2). The only significant association was between the TLP and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The mean SBP in patients without the TLP was 133.1±18.4 mmHg – versus 141.3±15.6 mmHg in patients with the TLP (P=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference among those with and without the TLP for HDL-C, LDL-C, C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, weight, or waist girth. The presence of the TLP was also unrelated to CIMT or image quality.

Table 2 Baseline characteristics of patients with, and without, presence of the TLP

Characteristic (mean ± SD)	TLP not present (N=93)	TLP present (N=27)	P-value
Age (years)	67.3±10.9	64.52±10.8	0.24
Initial statin dose (mg)	43±21	47±27	0.41
Duration of prior statin therapy (years)	6.6±5.6	5.3±3.3	0.27
Weight (pounds)	206.7±40.5	195.1±32.7	0.18
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	133.1±18.4	141.3±15.6	0.04
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	73.3±9.6	77.0±9.5	0.08
Pulse pressure (mmHg)	60±17	64±14	0.22
Abdominal girth (inches)	40.9±5.1	39.7±4.8	0.24
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)	146.2±28.2	145.9±26.5	0.96
Triglycerides (mg/dL)	145.1±83.4	130.8±47.0	0.41
High density lipoprotein (mg/dL)	42.3±8.8	43.4±6.7	0.57
Low density lipoprotein (mg/dL)	81.6±20.9	83.1±20.0	0.74
Median high sensitivity CRP (g/L)	2.0 (1.0–4.7)	1.5 (0.7–4.1)	0.30
Glucose (mg/dL)	103.4±29.9	103.4±24.3	0.90
Mean CIMT	0.911±0.162	0.921±0.153	0.79

Abbreviations: TLP, triple line pattern; CRP, C-reactive protein; CIMT, carotid intima media thickness; SD, standard deviation.

During ongoing lipid lowering therapy of 14 months, the prevalence of “definite” TLP increased to 54.2% (N=65; P<0.001, compared to baseline) (Table 3). This was unrelated to changes in lipid concentrations or other cardiovascular parameters. The SBP at 14 months was 130.6±15.3 mmHg, in the group without the TLP, and 133.21±33.5 mmHg in the group with the TLP (P=0.715). The diastolic blood pressure was 71.0±8.83 mmHg in patients without the TLP, and 73.21±9.0 mmHg in those with the TLP (P=0.715). When the 14-month group was further divided into those who had lost the TLP, who had no change in TLP status, and who gained the TLP, the LDL values were 69±3 mg/dL, 66±20 mg/dL, and 76±24 mg/dL, respectively (analysis of variance [ANOVA]: P=0.13). The HDL values were 42±7 mg/dL, 44±11, mg/dL and 42±9 mg/dL, respectively (ANOVA: P=0.50).

Table 3 Change in prevalence of the TLP at baseline and at 14 months

Baseline	14 months	N (% of 120)
Absent	Absent	48 (40)
Present	Present	20 (16.7)
Absent	Present	45 (37.5)
Present	Absent	7 (5.8)
Total prevalence at 14 months		65 (54.2)

Abbreviation: TLP, triple line pattern.

Discussion

We found that, in this sub-group of the ARBITER-6-HALTS trial, a patient population with underlying coronary heart disease or equivalent, and undergoing lipid lowering therapy, the TLP was found in approximately one in five patients, and was related to higher SBP. Interestingly, during ongoing lipid lowering therapy, we noted an increased prevalence of the TLP, independent of changes in several cardiovascular parameters.

In the only prior study of the TLP, conducted among Russian men,³ it was found in approximately one in five individuals (20.8%), and associated with age, SBP, total cholesterol, smoking, and any alcohol consumption in the past year. We found a similar prevalence of the TLP, and an association with blood pressure. However, we could not confirm any associations with other cardiovascular risk variables.

The clinical significance of this ultrasonographic appearance of the carotid artery is unknown. It is interesting that, in a general population of Russian men,³ the TLP was found to be prevalent more in patients with hyperlipidemia and increased CIMT; but in our patient population, there was not a statistically significant association between these factors. This may reflect the different patient populations, with our study being enriched by patients with cardiovascular disease and candidates for lipid lowering therapy. Furthermore, at the time of enrollment, our patient population had a mean LDL-C concentration of <100 mg/dL, due to pharmacotherapy, therefore, not reflective of baseline lipid levels. A recent study has suggested performing separate measurements of the intima and media components of the intima media thickness.⁶ Among individuals with high prevalence of inflammatory conditions, the relationships between cardiovascular risk variables and intima versus media thickness were different, although hypertension was related to thickness of both intima and media layers. Separate measurement of intima and media thickness requires advanced computerized analysis that is not available.

Whether the TLP could represent a dynamic pattern within the CIMT is uncertain. Our study adds to our understanding by suggesting an increase in the TLP during ongoing lipid lowering therapy. However, this increased prevalence was unrelated to changes in lipid or blood pressure parameters. Future studies to evaluate the TLP within hypertension treatment trials would be interesting, to test our hypotheses regarding the association between TLP and blood pressure.

Limitations

This study’s predominant patient population was male; therefore, it may not be generalizable to female populations. Larger studies are needed to confirm our observations, including studies among trials of modifying cardiovascular risk variables. Whether or not this finding has any clinical significance or ability to predict cardiovascular outcomes requires further study.

In conclusion, the TLP on CIMT imaging is identified in 22.5% of patients on lipid lowering therapy, in association with higher SBP, but not with other cardiovascular risk factors.

Disclosure

The authors do not have any conflicts of interests or disclosures to report regarding the results of this study.