Early-onset carotid atherosclerosis is associated with increased intima-media thickness and elevated serum levels of inflammatory markers

Several factors have been held responsible for the development of atherosclerosis. To avoid the masking effect of age, we evaluated correlates of carotid atherosclerosis in patients 30% stenosis of the internal carotid artery, 20 patients with carotid occlusion, and 35 control subjects. Stenosis and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery were evaluated by duplex ultrasound. White blood cell (WBC) count, plasma fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipoprotein(a) levels were significantly higher in patients than in control subjects, and patients had increased IMT (P