The effectiveness of high-resolution ultrasound in the assessment of the carotid intima–media thickness for postirradiated neck

Abstract

Objective

The carotid intimal–medial thickness (CIMT) is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events. We assessed the mean CIMT and evaluated associated factors in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Materials and methods

Between January 2016 and March 2018, 70 volunteers underwent automatic ultrasound measurement of the common carotid artery CIMT. A mean CIMT ≥ 1.0 mm was regarded as an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate the risk factors for an increased mean CIMT.

Results

We recruited 20 HNC survivors and 50 noncancer control individuals. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that old age (β = 0.006, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.004–0.008), increased weight (β = 0.003, 95% CI 0.001–0.005), hypertension (β = 0.10, 95% CI 0.03–0.17), and prior irradiation (β = 0.13, 95% CI 0.08–0.19) were positively correlated with the mean CIMT. From logistic regression analysis, it was shown that patients who underwent radiotherapy (OR 13.5, 95% CI 1.48–122.8) and who had higher bodyweight (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18) had a significantly higher risk of developing CVD.

Conclusion

Measurement of the mean CIMT using ultrasound could be useful for assessing CVD risk in HNC survivors after neck irradiation.

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