Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has long been used as an index of subclinical atherosclerosis, but its role as a risk modifier in cardiovascular (CV) risk optimization has recently been questioned due to methodological problems, such as lack of protoco...

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Main Authors: Fabrizio Veglia, Anna Maria Malagoni, Mauro Amato, Rona J. Strawbridge, Kai Savonen, Philippe Giral, Antonio Gallo, Matteo Pirro, Bruna Gigante, Per Eriksson, Douwe J. Mulder, Beatrice Frigerio, Daniela Sansaro, Alessio Ravani, Daniela Coggi, Roberta Baetta, Nicolò Capra, Elena Tremoli, Damiano Baldassarre
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/584
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author Fabrizio Veglia
Anna Maria Malagoni
Mauro Amato
Rona J. Strawbridge
Kai Savonen
Philippe Giral
Antonio Gallo
Matteo Pirro
Bruna Gigante
Per Eriksson
Douwe J. Mulder
Beatrice Frigerio
Daniela Sansaro
Alessio Ravani
Daniela Coggi
Roberta Baetta
Nicolò Capra
Elena Tremoli
Damiano Baldassarre
author_facet Fabrizio Veglia
Anna Maria Malagoni
Mauro Amato
Rona J. Strawbridge
Kai Savonen
Philippe Giral
Antonio Gallo
Matteo Pirro
Bruna Gigante
Per Eriksson
Douwe J. Mulder
Beatrice Frigerio
Daniela Sansaro
Alessio Ravani
Daniela Coggi
Roberta Baetta
Nicolò Capra
Elena Tremoli
Damiano Baldassarre
author_sort Fabrizio Veglia
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has long been used as an index of subclinical atherosclerosis, but its role as a risk modifier in cardiovascular (CV) risk optimization has recently been questioned due to methodological problems, such as lack of protocol standardization and scanning difficulties. In this multicentre, longitudinal, and observational study, we tested the predictive ability of two new CIMT variables detectable with a simplified, quick, and easy-to-standardize protocol. <b>Methods</b>: CIMT was measured in 3165 subjects from six centers, in five European countries, belonging to the IMPROVE study. The two variables tested were the average of two maximal CIMT measures taken, from a single angle, in the right and left common carotids (1CC-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub>) or bifurcations (BIF-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub>). The ability to predict CV events, on top of the SCORE2/SCORE2-OP risk algorithm, was quantified by the time-dependent increase in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). <b>Results</b>: During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, 367 cardio-, cerebro-, and peripheral-vascular events were registered. Both CIMT variables tested were associated with CV risk, but 1CC-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub> was also able to significantly increase the ROC AUC over the risk score (+0.017, <i>p</i> = 0.014). The result was stable after running several sensitivity analyses. <b>Conclusions</b>: 1CC-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub> is able to significantly improve the predictive capacity of SCORE2/SCORE2-OP. Being based on a simple and easily standardized measurement protocol, this new variable is a promising candidate for application in mass screening and risk assessment in primary prevention.
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spelling doaj-art-d1f7952a100f44969151d4ae08ef3c502025-08-20T02:42:41ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-02-0113358410.3390/biomedicines13030584Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE StudyFabrizio Veglia0Anna Maria Malagoni1Mauro Amato2Rona J. Strawbridge3Kai Savonen4Philippe Giral5Antonio Gallo6Matteo Pirro7Bruna Gigante8Per Eriksson9Douwe J. Mulder10Beatrice Frigerio11Daniela Sansaro12Alessio Ravani13Daniela Coggi14Roberta Baetta15Nicolò Capra16Elena Tremoli17Damiano Baldassarre18Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, ItalyMaria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyDepartment of Medicine Solna, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Solna, SwedenFoundation for Research in Health Exercise and Nutrition, Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine, 70100 Kuopio, FinlandINSERM, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Cardiovasculaires, le Métabolisme et la Nutrition, ICAN, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, FranceINSERM, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Cardiovasculaires, le Métabolisme et la Nutrition, ICAN, Sorbonne Université, F-75013 Paris, FranceInternal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06129 Perugia, ItalyDepartment of Medicine Solna, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Solna, SwedenDepartment of Medicine Solna, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Solna, SwedenDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The NetherlandsCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, ItalyMaria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, 48033 Cotignola, ItalyCentro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, 20138 Milan, Italy<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has long been used as an index of subclinical atherosclerosis, but its role as a risk modifier in cardiovascular (CV) risk optimization has recently been questioned due to methodological problems, such as lack of protocol standardization and scanning difficulties. In this multicentre, longitudinal, and observational study, we tested the predictive ability of two new CIMT variables detectable with a simplified, quick, and easy-to-standardize protocol. <b>Methods</b>: CIMT was measured in 3165 subjects from six centers, in five European countries, belonging to the IMPROVE study. The two variables tested were the average of two maximal CIMT measures taken, from a single angle, in the right and left common carotids (1CC-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub>) or bifurcations (BIF-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub>). The ability to predict CV events, on top of the SCORE2/SCORE2-OP risk algorithm, was quantified by the time-dependent increase in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). <b>Results</b>: During a median follow-up of 7.1 years, 367 cardio-, cerebro-, and peripheral-vascular events were registered. Both CIMT variables tested were associated with CV risk, but 1CC-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub> was also able to significantly increase the ROC AUC over the risk score (+0.017, <i>p</i> = 0.014). The result was stable after running several sensitivity analyses. <b>Conclusions</b>: 1CC-IMT<sub>mean-of-2-max</sub> is able to significantly improve the predictive capacity of SCORE2/SCORE2-OP. Being based on a simple and easily standardized measurement protocol, this new variable is a promising candidate for application in mass screening and risk assessment in primary prevention.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/584carotid arteryintima-media thicknessplaqueultrasonography protocolIMPROVE study
spellingShingle Fabrizio Veglia
Anna Maria Malagoni
Mauro Amato
Rona J. Strawbridge
Kai Savonen
Philippe Giral
Antonio Gallo
Matteo Pirro
Bruna Gigante
Per Eriksson
Douwe J. Mulder
Beatrice Frigerio
Daniela Sansaro
Alessio Ravani
Daniela Coggi
Roberta Baetta
Nicolò Capra
Elena Tremoli
Damiano Baldassarre
Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study
Biomedicines
carotid artery
intima-media thickness
plaque
ultrasonography protocol
IMPROVE study
title Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study
title_full Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study
title_fullStr Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study
title_short Enhancing Cardiovascular Risk Prediction with a Simplified Carotid IMT Protocol: Evidence from the IMPROVE Study
title_sort enhancing cardiovascular risk prediction with a simplified carotid imt protocol evidence from the improve study
topic carotid artery
intima-media thickness
plaque
ultrasonography protocol
IMPROVE study
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/584
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