Carotid intima‐media thickness and markers of inflammation, endothelial damage and hemostasis

References

• Blake G. J., Ridker P. M. Inflammatory bio‐markers and cardiovascular risk prediction. J Intern Med 2002; 252: 283–94
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Maisel A. Cardiac biomarkers: a contemporary status report. Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med 2006; 107: 24–34
   Google Scholar
• Ross R. Atherosclerosis—an inflammatory disease. N Engl J Med 1999; 340: 115–26
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pignoli P., Tremoli E., Poli A., Oreste P., Paoletti R. Intimal plus medial thickness of the arterial wall: a direct measurement with ultrasound imaging. Circulation 1986; 74: 1399–406
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wofford J. L., Kahl F. R., Howard G. R., McKinney W. M., Toole J. F., Crouse J. R 3rd. Relation of extent of extracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis as measured by B‐mode ultrasound to the extent of coronary atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb 1991; 11: 1786–94
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bots M. L., Hoes A. W., Koudstaal P. J., Hofman A., Grobbee D. E. Common carotid intima‐media thickness and risk of stroke and myocardial infarction: the Rotterdam Study. Circulation 1997; 96: 1432–7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Burke G. L., Evans G. W., Riley W. A., Sharrett A. R., Howard G., Barnes R. W., et al. Arterial wall thickness is associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease in middle‐aged adults. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Stroke 1995; 26: 386–91
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stensland‐Bugge E., Bonaa K. H., Joakimsen O. Age and sex differences in the relationship between inherited and lifestyle risk factors and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis: the Tromso study. Atherosclerosis 2001; 154: 437–48
   Google Scholar
• Simon A., Gariepy J., Chironi G., Megnien J. L., Levenson J. Intima‐media thickness: a new tool for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular risk. J Hypertens 2002; 20: 159–69
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Dickersin K. B. J. Meta‐analysis: state‐of‐the‐science. Epidemiol Rev 1992; 14: 154–76
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Snedecor G. W., Cochran W. G. Statistical methods. The Iowa State University Press, AmesUSA 1980; 185–8
   Google Scholar
• Kondo K., Kitagawa K., Nagai Y., Yamagami H., Hashimoto H., Hougaku H., et al. Associations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 with carotid atherosclerosis progression. Atherosclerosis 2005; 179: 155–60
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Calabro P., Willerson J. T., Yeh E. T. Inflammatory cytokines stimulated C‐reactive protein production by human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Circulation 2003; 108: 1930–2
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jabs W. J., Theissing E., Nitschke M., Bechtel J. F., Duchrow M., Mohamed S., et al. Local generation of C‐reactive protein in diseased coronary artery venous bypass grafts and normal vascular tissue. Circulation 2003; 108: 1428–31
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ji S. R., Wu Y., Potempa L. A., Liang Y. H., Zhao J. Effect of modified C‐reactive protein on complement activation: a possible complement regulatory role of modified or monomeric C‐reactive protein in atherosclerotic lesions. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2006; 26: 935–41
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ridker P. M. Clinical application of C‐reactive protein for cardiovascular disease detection and prevention. Circulation 2003; 107: 363–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Arroyo‐Espliguero R., Mollichelli N., Avanzas P., Zouridakis E., Newey V. R., Nassiri D. K., et al. Chronic inflammation and increased arterial stiffness in patients with cardiac syndrome X. Eur Heart J 2003; 24: 2006–11
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Orem C., Durmus I., Kilinc K., Baykan M., Gokce M., Orem A., et al. Plasma fibronectin level and its association with coronary artery disease and carotid intima‐media thickness. Coron Artery Dis 2003; 14: 219–24
   Google Scholar
• Benbir G., Bozluolcay M., Ince B. Is the level of C‐reactive protein correlated with the extent of carotid atherosclerosis?. Acta Neurol Belg 2005; 105: 73–80
   Google Scholar
• Choi H., Cho D. H., Shin H. H., Park J. B. Association of high sensitivity C‐reactive protein with coronary heart disease prediction, but not with carotid atherosclerosis, in patients with hypertension. Circ J 2004; 68: 297–303
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Magyar M. T., Szikszai Z., Balla J., Valikovics A., Kappelmayer J., Imre S., et al. Early‐onset carotid atherosclerosis is associated with increased intima‐media thickness and elevated serum levels of inflammatory markers. Stroke 2003; 34: 58–63
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kojima S., Funahashi T., Maruyoshi H., Honda O., Sugiyama S., Kawano H., et al. Levels of the adipocyte‐derived plasma protein, adiponectin, have a close relationship with atheroma. Thromb Res 2005; 115: 483–90
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Blackburn R., Giral P., Bruckert E., Andre J. M., Gonbert S., Bernard M., et al. Elevated C‐reactive protein constitutes an independent predictor of advanced carotid plaques in dyslipidemic subjects. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2001; 21: 1962–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Halenka M., Vaverkova H., Hutyra M., Karasek D., Slavik L., Novotny D., et al. Detection of early atherosclerosis using the ultrasound parameter of the intima‐media thickness of the common carotid artery in families with familial combined hyperlipidemia. Int Angiol 2004; 23: 230–7
   Google Scholar
• Sebestjen M., Zegura B., Videcnik V., Keber I. Determinants of endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima‐media thickness in combined hyperlipidemia. Coron Artery Dis 2005; 16: 175–80
   Google Scholar
• Takiuchi S., Kamide K., Miwa Y., Tomiyama M., Yoshii M., Matayoshi T., et al. Diagnostic value of carotid intima‐media thickness and plaque score for predicting target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2004; 18: 17–23
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Manabe S., Okura T., Watanabe S., Higaki J. Association between carotid haemodynamics and inflammation in patients with essential hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2005; 19: 787–91
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zavaroni I., Ardigo D., Zuccarelli A., Pacetti E., Piatti P. M., Monti L., et al. Insulin resistance/compensatory hyperinsulinemia predict carotid intimal medial thickness in patients with essential hypertension. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2006; 16: 22–7
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hak A. E., Stehouwer C. D., Bots M. L., Polderman K. H., Schalkwijk C. G., Westendorp I. C., et al. Associations of C‐reactive protein with measures of obesity, insulin resistance, and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy, middle‐aged women. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1999; 19: 1986–91
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Balletshofer B. M., Haap M., Rittig K., Stock J., Lehn‐Stefan A., Haring H. U. Early carotid atherosclerosis in overweight non‐diabetic individuals is associated with subclinical chronic inflammation independent of underlying insulin resistance. Horm Metab Res 2005; 37: 331–5
   Google Scholar
• Ahmad J., Ahmed F., Siddiqui M. A., Hameed B., Ahmad I. Inflammation, insulin resistance and carotid IMT in first degree relatives of north Indian type 2 diabetic subjects. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2006; 73: 205–10
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Festa A., D'Agostino R Jr., Williams K., Karter A. J., Mayer‐Davis E. J., Tracy R. P., et al. The relation of body fat mass and distribution to markers of chronic inflammation. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001; 25: 1407–15
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Esposito K., Giugliano D., Nappo F., Marfella R. Regression of carotid atherosclerosis by control of postprandial hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Circulation 2004; 110: 214–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kang E. S., Kim H. J., Kim Y. M., Lee S., Cha B. S., Lim S. K., et al. Serum high sensitivity C‐reactive protein is associated with carotid intima‐media thickness in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2004; 66: S115–20
   Google Scholar
• Takebayashi K., Aso Y., Matsutomo R., Wakabayashi S., Inukai T. Association between the corrected QT intervals and combined intimal‐medial thickness of the carotid artery in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metabolism 2004; 53: 1152–7
   Google Scholar
• Tajiri Y., Mimura K., Umeda F. High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Obes Res 2005; 13: 1810–6
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kang E. S., Kim H. J., Ahn C. W., Park C. W., Cha B. S., Lim S. K., et al. Relationship of serum high sensitivity C‐reactive protein to metabolic syndrome and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2005; 69: 151–9
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hulthe J. F. B. Circulating oxidized LDL is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis development and inflammatory cytokines (AIR study). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2002; 22: 1162–7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Saijo Y., Kiyota N., Kawasaki Y., Miyazaki Y., Kashimura J., Fukuda M., et al. Relationship between C‐reactive protein and visceral adipose tissue in healthy Japanese subjects. Diabetes Obes Metab 2004; 6: 249–58
   Google Scholar
• Beloqui O., Paramo J. A., Orbe J., Benito A., Colina I., Monasterio A., et al. Monocyte cyclooxygenase‐2 overactivity: a new marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in asymptomatic subjects with cardiovascular risk factors?. Eur Heart J 2005; 26: 153–8
   Google Scholar
• Choi S. H., Kim H. C., Ahn C. W., Cho H. K., Cha B. S., Chung Y., et al. Is high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein associated with carotid atherosclerosis in healthy Koreans?. Eur J Card Prev Rehab 2005; 12: 548–54
   Google Scholar
• Markus H., Kapozsta Z., Ditrich R., Wolfe C., Ali N., Powell J., et al. Increased common carotid intima‐media thickness in UK African Caribbeans and its relation to chronic inflammation and vascular candidate gene polymorphisms. Stroke 2001; 32: 2465–71
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Sitzer M., Markus H. S., Mendall M. A., Liehr R., Knorr U., Steinmetz H. C‐reactive protein and carotid intimal medial thickness in a community population. J Cardiovasc Risk 2002; 9: 97–103
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• van der Meer I. M., de Maat M. P., Bots M. L., Breteler M. M., Meijer J., Kiliaan A. J., et al. Inflammatory mediators and cell adhesion molecules as indicators of severity of atherosclerosis: the Rotterdam Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2002; 22: 838–42
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• de Maat M. P., Bladbjerg E. M., Drivsholm T., Borch‐Johnsen K., Moller L., Jespersen J. Inflammation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis: results of the Glostrup study. J Thromb Haemost 2003; 1: 950–7
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Devynck M. A., Simon A., Pernollet M. G., Chironi G., Gariepy J., Rendu F., et al. Plasma cGMP and large artery remodeling in asymptomatic men. Hypertension 2004; 44: 919–23
   Google Scholar
• McDonald S. P., Maguire G. P., Duarte N., Wang X. L., Hoy W. E. Carotid intima‐media thickness, cardiovascular risk factors and albuminuria in a remote Australian Aboriginal community. Atherosclerosis 2004; 177: 423–31
   Google Scholar
• Winbeck K., Kukla C., Poppert H., Klingelhofer J., Conrad B., Sander D. Elevated C‐reactive protein is associated with an increased intima to media thickness of the common carotid artery. Cerebrovasc Dis 2002; 13: 57–63
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Moussavi N., Renier G., Roussin A., Mamputu J. C., Buithieu J., Serri O. Lack of concordance between plasma markers of cardiovascular risk and intima‐media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab 2004; 6: 69–77
   Google Scholar
• Bowden D. W., Lange L. A., Langefeld C. D., Brosnihan K. B., Freedman B. I., Carr J. J., et al. The relationship between C‐reactive protein and subclinical cardiovascular disease in the Diabetes Heart Study (DHS). Am Heart J 2005; 150: 1032–8
   Google Scholar
• de Vries R., Dallinga‐Thie G. M., Smit A. J., Wolffenbuttel B. H., van Tol A., Dullaart R. P. Elevated plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity is a determinant of carotid intima‐media thickness in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetologia 2006; 49: 398–404
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Lo J., Dolan S. E., Kanter J. R., Hemphill L. C., Connelly J. M., Lees R. S., et al. Effects of obesity, body composition, and adiponectin on carotid intima‐media thickness in healthy women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006; 91: 1677–82
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Leinonen E. S., Hiukka A., Hurt‐Camejo E., Wiklund O., Sarna S. S., Mattson Hulten L., et al. Low‐grade inflammation, endothelial activation and carotid intima‐media thickness in type 2 diabetes. J Intern Med 2004; 256: 119–27
   Google Scholar
• Berneis K., Jeanneret C., Muser J., Felix B., Miserez A. R. Low‐density lipoprotein size and subclasses are markers of clinically apparent and non‐apparent atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes. Metabolism 2005; 54: 227–34
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Barath P., Fishbein M. C., Cao J., Berenson J., Helfant R. H., Forrestor J. S. Detection and localization of tumor necrosis factor in human atheroma. Am J Cardiol 1990; 65: 297–302
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ridker P. M., Rifai N., Pfeffer M., Sacks F., Lepage S., Braunwald E. Elevation of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and increased risk of recurrent coronary events after myocardial infarction. Circulation 2000; 101: 2149–53
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Skoog T., Dichtl W., Boquist S., Skoglund‐Andersson C., Karpe F., Tang R., et al. Plasma tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and early carotid atherosclerosis in healthy middle‐aged men. Eur Heart J 2002; 23: 376–83
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elkind M. S., Cheng J., Boden‐Albala B., Rundek T., Thomas J., Chen H., et al. Tumor necrosis factor receptor levels are associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Stroke 2002; 33: 31–7
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Matsuda M., Kawasaki F., Yamada K., Kanda Y., Saito M., Eto M., et al. Impact of adiposity and plasma adipocytokines on diabetic angiopathies in Japanese Type 2 diabetic subjects. Diabet Med 2004; 21: 881–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Larsson P. T., Hallerstam S., Rosfors S., Wallen N. H. Circulating markers of inflammation are related to carotid artery atherosclerosis. Int Angiol 2005; 24: 43–51
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hulthe J., Wikstrand J., Mattson‐Hulten L., Fagerberg B. Circulating ICAM‐1 (intercellular cell‐adhesion molecule 1) is associated with early stages of atherosclerosis development and with inflammatory cytokines in healthy 58‐year‐old men: the Atherosclerosis and Insulin Resistance (AIR) study. Clin Sci (Lond) 2002; 103: 123–9
   Google Scholar
• Elkind M. S., Rundek T., Sciacca R. R., Ramas R., Chen H. J., Boden‐Albala B., et al. Interleukin‐2 levels are associated with carotid artery intima‐media thickness. Atherosclerosis 2005; 180: 181–7
   Google Scholar
• von der Thusen J. H., Kuiper J., van Berkel T. J., Biessen E. A. Interleukins in atherosclerosis: molecular pathways and therapeutic potential. Pharmacol Rev 2003; 55: 133–66
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Young J. L., Libby P., Schonbeck U. Cytokines in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thromb Haemost 2002; 88: 554–67
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Nakamura A., Shikata K., Hiramatsu M., Nakatou T., Kitamura T., Wada J., et al. Serum interleukin‐18 levels are associated with nephropathy and atherosclerosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005; 28: 2890–5
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chapman C. M., Beilby J. P., McQuillan B. M., Thompson P. L., Hung J. Monocyte count, but not C‐reactive protein or interleukin‐6, is an independent risk marker for subclinical carotid atherosclerosis. Stroke 2004; 35: 1619–24
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Chapman C. M., McQuillan B. M., Beilby J. P., Thompson P. L., Hung J. Interleukin‐18 levels are not associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in a community population The Perth Carotid Ultrasound Disease Assessment Study (CUDAS). Atherosclerosis 2006; 189: 414–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yamagami H., Kitagawi K., Hoshi T., Furukado S., Hougaku H., Nagai Y., et al. Associations of serum IL‐18 levels with carotid intima‐media thickness. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2005; 25: 1458–62
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Okopien B., Hyper M., Kowalski J., Belowski D., Madej A., Zielinski M., et al. A new immunological marker of atherosclerotic injury of arterial wall. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol 2001; 109: 241–8
   Google Scholar
• Aso Y., Okumura K., Takebayashi K., Wakabayashi S., Inukai T. Relationships of plasma interleukin‐18 concentrations to hyperhomocysteinemia and carotid intima‐media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2003; 26: 2622–7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jurcut R., Arsenescu I., Puscariu T., Uscatescu V., Jurcut C., Apetrei E., et al. Is interleukin‐18 correlated with endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation in patients with unstable angina?. Rom J Intern Med 2005; 43: 199–209
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hoogeveen R. C., Morrison A., Boerwinkle E., Miles J. S., Rhodes C. E., Sharrett A. R., et al. Plasma MCP‐1 level and risk for peripheral arterial disease and incident coronary heart disease: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Atherosclerosis 2005; 183: 301–7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schonbeck U., Varo N., Libby P., Buring J., Ridker P. M. Soluble CD40L and cardiovascular risk in women. Circulation 2001; 104: 2266–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• O'Brien K. D., Chait, A. Serum amyloid A: the ‘other’ inflammatory protein. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2006; 8: 62–8
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Tabara Y., Kohara K., Yamamoto Y., Igase M., Nakura J., Kondo I., et al. Polymorphism of the monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1) gene is associated with the plasma level of MCP‐1 but not with carotid intima‐media thickness. Hypertens Res 2003; 26: 677–83
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Takebayashi K., Matsumoto S., Aso Y., Inukai T. Association between circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and urinary albumin excretion in nonobese Type 2 diabetic patients. J Diabetes Complications 2006; 20: 98–104
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Pradhan A. D., Rifai N., Ridker P. M. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, soluble vascular adhesion molecule‐1, and the development of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease in men. Circulation 2002; 106: 820–5
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Yamamoto H., Uemura S., Tomoda Y., Fujimoto S., Hashimoto T., Okuchi K. Transcardiac gradient of soluble adhesion molecules predicts progression of coronary artery disease. Int J Cardiol 2002; 84: 249–57
   Google Scholar
• Roldan V., Marin F., Lip G. Y., Blann A. D. Soluble E‐selectin in cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. A review of the literature. Thromb Haemost 2003; 90: 1007–20
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Holmlund A., Hulthe J., Millgard J., Sarabi M., Kahan T., Lind L. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 is related to endothelial vasodilatory function in healthy individuals. Atherosclerosis 2002; 165: 271–6
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Su T. C., Jeng J. S., Wang J. D., Torng P. L., Chang S. J., Chen C. F., et al. Homocysteine, circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule and carotid atherosclerosis in postmenopausal vegetarian women and omnivores. Atherosclerosis 2006; 184: 356–62
   Google Scholar
• Ahluwalia N., Drouet L., Ruidavets J. B., Perret B., Amar J., Boccalon H., et al. Metabolic syndrome is associated with markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in a French population‐based sample. Atherosclerosis 2006; 186: 345–53
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Bongard V., Elias A., Bal dit Sollier C., Ruidavets J., Boccalon H., Drouet L., et al. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 is associated with carotid and femoral atherosclerosis but not with intima‐media thickness in a population‐based sample. Atherosclerosis 2002; 164: 297–304
   Google Scholar
• Amar J., Ruidavets J. B., Sollier C. B., Bongard V., Boccalon H., Chamontin B., et al. Relationship between C reactive protein and pulse pressure is not mediated by atherosclerosis or aortic stiffness. J Hypertens 2004; 22: 349–55
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rohde L. E., Lee R. T., Rivero J., Jamacochian M., Arroyo L. H., Briggs W., et al. Circulating cell adhesion molecules are correlated with ultrasound‐based assessment of carotid atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1998; 18: 1765–70
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hashimoto H., Kitagawa K., Kuwabara K., Hougaku H., Ohtsuki T., Matsumoto M., et al. Circulating adhesion molecules are correlated with ultrasonic assessment of carotid plaques. Clin Sci (Lond) 2003; 104: 521–7
   Google Scholar
• Bemelmans W. J., Lefrandt J. D., Feskens E. J., Broer J., Tervaert J. W., May J. F., et al. Change in saturated fat intake is associated with progression of carotid and femoral intima‐media thickness, and with levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1. Atherosclerosis 2002; 163: 113–20
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Paiker J. E., Raal F. J., Veller M., von Arb M., Chetty N., Naran N. H. Cell adhesion molecules—can they be used to predict coronary artery disease in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia?. Clin Chim Acta 2000; 293: 105–13
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Malmqvist K., Wallen H. N., Held C., Kahan T. Soluble cell adhesion molecules in hypertensive concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. J Hypertens 2002; 20: 1563–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Kawamura T., Umemura T., Kanai A., Uno T., Matsumae H., Sano T., et al. The incidence and characteristics of silent cerebral infarction in elderly diabetic patients: association with serum‐soluble adhesion molecules. Diabetologia 1998; 41: 911–7
   Google Scholar
• Troseid M., Hjerkinn E. M., Seljeflot I., Klemsdal T. O., Bergengen L., Breivik L., et al. Comparison of biochemical, functional and structural aspects of arterial wall properties in elderly men. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2006; 66: 137–45
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Karasek D., Vaverkova H., Halenka M., Budikova M., Novotny D. Soluble cell adhesion molecules s‐VCAM‐1 and s‐ICAM‐1 in subjects with familial combined hyperlipidemia. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2005; 149: 101–8
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• De Caterina R., Basta G., Lazzerini G., Dell'Omo G., Petrucci R., Morale M., et al. Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 as a biohumoral correlate of atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1997; 17: 2646–54
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Otsuki M., Hashimoto K., Morimoto Y., Kishimoto T., Kasayama S. Circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) in atherosclerotic NIDDM patients. Diabetes 1997; 46: 2096–101
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lip G. Y., Blann A. von Willebrand factor: a marker of endothelial dysfunction in vascular disorders?. Cardiovasc Res 1997; 34: 255–65
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lee K. W., Blann A. D., Lip G. Y. Plasma markers of endothelial damage/dysfunction, inflammation and thrombogenesis in relation to TIMI risk stratification in acute coronary syndromes. Thromb Haemost 2005; 94: 1077–83
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Agewall S., Wikstrand J., Suurkula M., Tengborn L., Fagerberg B. Carotid artery wall morphology, haemostatic factors and cardiovascular disease. An ultrasound study in men at high and low risk for atherosclerotic disease. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 1994; 5: 895–904
   Google Scholar
• Ramsis N., El‐Hawary A. A., Ismail E. Relation between carotid intima‐media thickness, platelet surface activation and endothelial cell markers. Haemostasis 1998; 28: 268–75
   Google Scholar
• Metcalf P. A., Folsom A. R., Davis C. E., Wu K. K., Heiss G. Haemostasis and carotid artery wall thickness in non‐insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2000; 47: 25–35
   Google Scholar
• Wu K. K., Folsom A. R., Heiss G., Davis C. E., Conlan M. G., Barnes R. Association of coagulation factors and inhibitors with carotid artery atherosclerosis. Early results of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Ann Epidemiol 1992; 2: 471–80
   Google Scholar
• Lee A. J., Mowbray P. I., Lowe G. D., Rumley A., Fowkes F. G., Allan P. L. Blood viscosity and elevated carotid intima‐media thickness in men and women: the Edinburgh Artery Study. Circulation 1998; 97: 1467–73
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Wang T. J., Nam B. H., Wilson P. W., Wolf P. A., Levy D., Polak J. F., et al. Association of C‐reactive protein with carotid atherosclerosis in men and women: the Framingham Heart Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2002; 22: 1662–7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sakata T., Mannami T., Baba S., Kokubo Y., Kario K., Okamoto A., et al. Potential of free‐form TFPI and PAI‐1 to be useful markers of early atherosclerosis in a Japanese general population (the Suita Study): association with the intimal‐medial thickness of carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis 2004; 176: 355–60
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Folsom A. R., Wu K. K., Shahar E., Davis C. E. Association of hemostatic variables with prevalent cardiovascular disease and asymptomatic carotid artery atherosclerosis. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study Investigators. Arterioscler Thromb 1993; 13: 1829–36
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Paramo J. A., Beloqui O., Colina I., Diez J., Orbe J. Independent association of von Willebrand factor with surrogate markers of atherosclerosis in middle‐aged asymptomatic subjects. J Thromb Haemost 2005; 3: 662–4
   Google Scholar
• Galis Z. S., Khatri J. J. Matrix metalloproteinases in vascular remodeling and atherogenesis: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Circ Res 2002; 90: 251–62
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Zureik M., Beaudeux J. L., Courbon D., Benetos A., Ducimetiere P. Serum tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP‐1) and carotid atherosclerosis and aortic arterial stiffness. J Hypertens 2005; 23: 2263–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Beaudeux J. L., Burc L., Imbert‐Bismut F., Giral P., Bernard M., Bruckert E., et al. Serum plasma pregnancy‐associated protein A: a potential marker of echogenic carotid atherosclerotic plaques in asymptomatic hyperlipidemic subjects at high cardiovascular risk. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2003; 23: e7–10
   Google Scholar
• Maresca G., Di Blasio A., Marchioli R., Di Minno G. Measuring plasma fibrinogen to predict stroke and myocardial infarction: an update. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1999; 19: 1368–77
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sosef M. N., Bosch J. G., van Oostayen J., Visser T., Reiber J. H., Rosendaal F. R. Relation of plasma coagulation factor VII and fibrinogen to carotid artery intima‐media thickness. Thromb Haemost 1994; 72: 250–4
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lavrencic A., Kosmina B., Keber I., Videcnik V., Keber D. Carotid intima‐media thickness in young patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Heart 1996; 76: 321–5
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Vrtovec B., Keber I., Gadzijev A., Bardorfer I., Keber D. Carotid intima‐media thickness of young coronary patients. Coron Artery Dis 1999; 10: 407–11
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Montecchi F. R., Menzinger G., Lala A. Carotid intima‐media thickness in patients with Type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Diabetes Nutr Metab 2001; 14: 58–61
   Google Scholar
• Marchesi E., Martignoni A., Tinelli C., Ravetta V., Resasco T., Piredda M., et al. Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 and carotid intima‐media thickening in patients with newly detected primary hypertension. J Cardiovasc Risk 1999; 6: 363–9
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Temelkova‐Kurktschiev T., Koehler C., Henkel E., Hanefeld M. Leukocyte count and fibrinogen are associated with carotid and femoral intima‐media thickness in a risk population for diabetes. Cardiovasc Res 2002; 56: 277–83
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Takebayashi K., Suetsugu M., Matsutomo R., Wakabayashi S., Aso Y., Inukai T. Correlation of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and plasma fibrinogen with individual complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. South Med J 2006; 99: 23–7
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Raal F. J., Pilcher G. J., Waisberg R., Buthelezi E. P., Veller M. G., Joffe B. I. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol bulk is the pivotal determinant of atherosclerosis in familial hypercholesterolemia. Am J Cardiol 1999; 83: 1330–3
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rossl A., Baldo‐Enzi G., Ganzaroli C., Coscetti G., Calabro A., Baiocchi M. R., et al. Relationship of early carotid artery disease with lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein B, and fibrinogen in asymptomatic essential hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects. J Investig Med 2001; 49: 505–13
   Google Scholar
• Ebrahim S., Papacosta O., Whincup P., Wannamethee G., Walker M., Nicolaides A. N., et al. Carotid plaque, intima media thickness, cardiovascular risk factors, and prevalent cardiovascular disease in men and women: the British Regional Heart Study. Stroke 1999; 30: 841–50
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Joensuu T., Salonen R., Winblad I., Korpela H., Salonen J. T. Determinants of femoral and carotid artery atherosclerosis. J Intern Med 1994; 236: 79–84
   Google Scholar
• Poredos P., Orehek M., Tratnik E. Smoking is associated with dose‐related increase of intima‐media thickness and endothelial dysfunction. Angiology 1999; 50: 201–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Martinez‐Vila E., Paramo J. A., Beloqui O., Orbe J., Irimia P., Colina I., et al. Independent association of fibrinogen with carotid intima‐media thickness in asymptomatic subjects. Cerebrovasc Dis 2003; 16: 356–62
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Paramo J. A., Beloqui O., Roncal C., Benito A., Orbe J. Validation of plasma fibrinogen as a marker of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects free of clinical cardiovascular disease. Haematologica 2004; 89: 1226–31
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Folsom A. R., Pankow J. S., Williams R. R., Evans G. W., Province M. A., Eckfeldt J. H. Fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, and carotid intima‐media wall thickness in the NHLBI Family Heart Study. Thromb Haemost 1998; 79: 400–4
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ferrieres J., Elias A., Ruidavets J. B., Cantet C., Bongard V., Fauvel J., et al. Carotid intima‐media thickness and coronary heart disease risk factors in a low‐risk population. J Hypertens 1999; 17: 743–8
   Google Scholar
• Muscari A., Martignani C., Bastagli L., Poggiopollini G., Tomassetti V., Baldini L., et al. A comparison of acute phase proteins and traditional risk factors as markers of combined plaque and intima‐media thickness and plaque density in carotid and femoral arteries. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2003; 26: 81–7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mitusch R., Luedemann J., Wood W. G., Berger K., Schminke U., Suter M., et al. Asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis is associated with circulating chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in younger normotensive subjects in a general population survey. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2005; 25: 386–91
   Google Scholar
• Haverkate F. Levels of haemostatic factors, arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Vascul Pharmacol 2002; 39: 109–12
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Paramo J. A., Orbe J., Beloqui O., Benito A., Colina I., Martinez‐Vila E., et al. Prothrombin fragment 1+2 is associated with carotid intima‐media thickness in subjects free of clinical cardiovascular disease. Stroke 2004; 35: 1085–9
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Mavri A., Stegnar M., Sentocnik J. T., Videcnik V. Impact of weight reduction on early carotid atherosclerosis in obese premenopausal women. Obes Res 2001; 9: 511–6
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Diamantopoulos E. J., Andreadis E. A., Vassilopoulos C. V., Theodorides T. G., Giannakopoulos N. S., Chatzis N. A., et al. Increased plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 levels: a possible marker of hypertensive target organ damage. Clin Exp Hypertens 2003; 25: 1–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jeng J. R. Left ventricular mass, carotid wall thickness, and angiotensinogen gene polymorphism in patients with hypertension. Am J Hypertens 1999; 12: 443–50
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Fisher R. A. Statistical methods for research workers. 14th ed. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh 1970
   Google Scholar
• Brohall G., Oden A., Fagerberg B. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance: a systematic review. Diabet Med 2006; 23: 609–16
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Pu L. J., Lu L., Xu X. W., Zhang R. Y., Zhang O., Zhang J. S., et al. Value of serum glycated albumin and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels in the prediction of presence of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2006; 5: 27
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kotsis V. T., Stabouli S. V., Papamichael C. M., Zakopoulos N. A. Impact of obesity in intima media thickness of carotid arteries. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2006; 14: 1708–15
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Aronson D., Bartha P., Zinder O., Kerner A., Markiewicz W., Avizohar O., et al. Obesity is the major determinant of elevated C‐reactive protein in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. Int J Obes Relat Disord 2004; 28: 674–9
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Greenfield J. R., Samaras K., Jenkins A. B., Kelly P. J., Spector P. D., Gallimore J. R., et al. Obesity is an important determinant of baseline serum C‐reactive protein concentration in monozygotic twins, independent of genetic influences. Circulation 2004; 109: 3022–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Aronson D., Goldberg A., Roquin A., Petcherski S., Rimer D., Gruberg L., et al. Effect of obesity on the relationship between plasma C‐reactive protein and coronary stenosis in patients with stable angina. Atherosclerosis 2006; 185: 137–42
   Google Scholar
• Kannel W. B., Wolf P. A., Castelli W. P., D'Agostino R. B. Fibrinogen and risk of cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Study. JAMA 1987; 258: 1183–6
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Folsom A. R. Epidemiology of fibrinogen. Eur Heart J 1995; 16: 21–3
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Tell G. S., Polak J. F., Ward B. J., Kittner S. J., Savage P. J., Robbins J. Relation of smoking with carotid artery wall thickness and stenosis in older adults. The Cardiovascular Health Study. The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) Collaborative Research Group. Circulation 1994; 90: 2905–8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Makita S., Nakamura M., Hiramori K. The association of C‐reactive protein levels with carotid intima‐media complex thickness and plaque formation in the general population. Stroke 2005; 36: 2138–42
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Mackinnon A. D., Jerrard‐Dunne P., Sitzer M., Buehler A., von Kegler S., Markus H. S. Rates and determinants of site‐specific progression of carotid artery intima‐media thickness: the carotid atherosclerosis progression study. Stroke 2004; 35: 2150–4
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schott L. L., Wildman R. P., Brockwell S., Simkin‐Silverman L. R., Kuller L. H., Sutton‐Tyrrell K. Segment‐specific effects of cardiovascular risk factors on carotid artery intima‐medial thickness in women at midlife. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2004; 24: 1951–6
   Google Scholar
• Urbina E. M., Srinivasan S. R., Tang R., Bond M. G., Kieltyka L., Berenson G. S. Impact of multiple coronary risk factors on the intima‐media thickness of different segments of carotid artery in healthy young adults (The Bogalusa Heart Study). Am J Cardiol 2002; 90: 953–8
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Heath D., Smith P., Harris P., Winson M. The atherosclerotic human carotid sinus. J Pathol 1973; 110: 49–58
   Google Scholar
• Sigurdardottir V., Fagerberg B., Hulthe J. Preclinical atherosclerosis and inflammation in 61‐year‐old men with newly diagnosed diabetes and established diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004; 27: 880–4
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Folsom A. R., Pankow J. S., Tracy R. P., Arnett D. K., Peacock J. M., Hong Y., et al. Association of C‐reactive protein with markers of prevalent atherosclerotic disease. Am J Cardiol 2001; 88: 112–7
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Cao J. J., Thach C., Manolio T. A., Psaty B. M., Kuller L. H., Chaves P. H., et al. C‐reactive protein, carotid intima‐media thickness, and incidence of ischemic stroke in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Circulation 2003; 108: 166–70
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Karvonen J., Paivansalo M., Kesaniemi Y. A., Horkko S. Immunoglobulin M type of autoantibodies to oxidized low‐density lipoprotein has an inverse relation to carotid artery atherosclerosis. Circulation 2003; 108: 2107–12
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ashfaq S., Abramson J. L., Jones D. P., Rhodes S. D., Weintraub W. S., Hooper W. C., et al. The relationship between plasma levels of oxidized and reduced thiols and early atherosclerosis in healthy adults. J Am Coll Cardiol 2006; 47: 1005–11
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Beaudeux J. L., Giral P., Bruckert E., Bernard M., Foglietti M. J., Chapman M. J. Serum matrix metalloproteinase‐3 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 as potential markers of carotid atherosclerosis in infraclinical hyperlipidemia. Atherosclerosis 2003; 169: 139–46
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Elvik R. Evaluating the statistical conclusion validity of weighted mean results in meta‐analysis by analysing funnel graph diagrams. Accid Anal Prev 1998; 30: 255–66
   Google Scholar
• Tang J. L., Liu J. L. Misleading funnel plot for detection of bias in meta‐analysis. J Clin Epidemiol 2000; 53: 477–84
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lau J., Ioannidis J. P., Terrin N., Schmid C. H., Olkin I. The case of the misleading funnel plot. BMJ 2006; 333: 597–600
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar