Comparative Study on Luminal Diameter, Blood Flow Velocity and Intima Media Thickness of Carotid Arteries in Obese and Non- Obese Humans

Abstract

Studies leading to the determination of the onset of atherosclerosis, a major parameter in cardiovascular diseases has dominated the academic community concerned with heart diseases. This study is aimed at investigating the difference in blood flow velocities, lumen diameters and intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries of over-weight/obese and non-obese human subjects. Doppler ultrasound measurements of the carotid arteries was performed in 50 adults, aged between 18-76 years old. The Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR) of the subjects were calculated from their weight, height and waist measurements. Results show significant differences between group 1 (normal weight) and group 2 (over-weight/obese): luminal diameters on the right (RLD) and left (LLD), intima media thickness on the right (RIMT) and left (LIMT) of the carotid arteries were significantly larger in group 2 than in group 1; peak systolic velocities on the right (RPSV) and the left (LPSV) of the carotid arteries were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1, while the end diastolic velocities on the right (REDV) and left (LEDV) were significantly larger in group 2 than in group 1. In the over-weight/obese subjects, the increased RLD, LLD, RIMT, LIMT, RPSV, LPSV and high REDV and LEDV points at the early stage of atherosclerosis. These effects mean that over-weight and obesity increase the chances of atherosclerosis and stroke.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, luminal diameter, obese, carotid artery, intima media thickness.