[Atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta and carotid arteries and its correlation with blood serum lipid levels in cholelithiasis].
To elucidate relationship between cholelithiasis and presence and severity of atherosclerosis in abdominal aorta and carotid arteries. Ultrasound investigation of vessels and abdominal organs, determination of blood serum total, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were carried out in 147 patients with and 167 without (controls) cholelithiasis (mean age 44.2+/-3.1 and 45+/-2.8 years, respectively). Among patients with cholelithiasis 73.2 and 67.6% had atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta and carotid arteries, respectively. This was significantly more than in controls. Compared with controls atherosclerosis of these vessels in all age groups was significantly more pronounced in patients with cholelithiasis. Moreover severity of atherosclerosis was directly related to duration and activity of cholelithiasis. Atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta and carotids was most pronounced in patients with cholelithiasis and concomitant hypertension, ischemic heart disease and obesity. Significant direct correlations were found between blood serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol and thickness of abdominal aortic wall and carotid artery intima media complex. The results evidence for the existence of association between cholelithiasis and presence and severity of atherosclerosis of abdominal aorta and carotid arteries.
PubMed Abstracts
PubMed Abstracts