BioMedica |

Original Article

Published: Dec 25, 2024 | DOI: 10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661

Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore

Authors: Madiha Naseer , Mahwish Farzana , Zeeshan Ghous , Amna Nasir , Saulat Sarfraz , Waqar Ahmed

Article Info

Authors

Madiha Naseer

Department of Radiology, Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan

Mahwish Farzana

Department of Radiologym Farooq Hospital, Defense Branch, Lahore, Pakistan

Zeeshan Ghous

Department of Cardiology, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan

Amna Nasir

Department of Cardiology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Saulat Sarfraz

Department of Radiology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan

Waqar Ahmed

Consultant Radiologist, Self-employed, Sargodha, Pakistan

Publication History

Received: October 10, 2024

Accepted: December 15, 2024

Published: December 25, 2024

Abstract

Background and Objective:

There are no comprehensive regional data for Pakistan regarding the frequency of carotid plaques and associated risk factors. Early detection of atherosclerotic plaques by noninvasive screening methods can help reduce the disease burden. As asymptomatic plaques are also one of the major causes of stroke in middle-aged individuals, the present study aimed to identify the frequency and clinical presentation of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged patients in local population.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 366 subjects aged 45-81 years old were screened for any atherosclerotic plaques at the bilateral extra cranial carotid artery tree by consultant radiologists through Doppler Ultrasound (DUS). Multi variable logistic regression was applied to determine the variables having an independent association with the development of carotid plaques.

Results:

Carotid artery plaques were diagnosed in 156 (42.62%) patients. Age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus showed an independent association with carotid plaques (p-value < 0.001). Present history of smoking was not associated with carotid plaques (P-value > 0.005).

Conclusion:

The diagnostic accuracy of DUS is high for the detection of sub-clinical and clinical carotid plaques. The identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk individuals with diabetes and hypertension can save much from debilitating cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Carotid artery plaques, Doppler Ultrasound, Diabetes, Hypertension

Pubmed Style

Madiha Naseer, Mahwish Farzana, Zeeshan Ghous, Amna Nasir, Saulat Sarfraz, Waqar Ahmed. Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore. BioMedica. 2024; 25 (December 2024): -. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661

Web Style

Madiha Naseer, Mahwish Farzana, Zeeshan Ghous, Amna Nasir, Saulat Sarfraz, Waqar Ahmed. Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore. https://biomedicapk.com/articles/1661 [Access: May 08, 2025]. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Madiha Naseer, Mahwish Farzana, Zeeshan Ghous, Amna Nasir, Saulat Sarfraz, Waqar Ahmed. Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore. BioMedica. (2024), [cited May 08, 2025]; 25 (December 2024): -. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661

Harvard Style

Madiha Naseer, Mahwish Farzana, Zeeshan Ghous, Amna Nasir, Saulat Sarfraz, Waqar Ahmed (2024) Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore. BioMedica, 25 (December 2024): -. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661

Chicago Style

Madiha Naseer, Mahwish Farzana, Zeeshan Ghous, Amna Nasir, Saulat Sarfraz, Waqar Ahmed. "Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore." 25 (2024), -. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Madiha Naseer, Mahwish Farzana, Zeeshan Ghous, Amna Nasir, Saulat Sarfraz, Waqar Ahmed (2024) Identification of asymptomatic carotid plaques in high-risk middle-aged adults at a tertiary care center in Lahore. , 25 (December 2024), -. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1661