Cardiovascular
and cerebrovascular diseases are leading causes of mortality in patients with
diabetes mellitus. Beside diabetes mellitus, some of the traditional risk
factors, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking and positive
family history, contribute as well to the high prevalence of cardiovascular
disease in subjects with diabetes mellitus.
Ultrasound
examination of carotid arteries enables visualization of different aspects of
atherosclerosis. Beside carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), which is the most studied
non-invasive phenotype of carotid atherosclerosis, we can also
measure plaque thickness, total plaque area, plaque volume, determine type of
plaques, and degree of stenosis. CIMT is a good marker of early atherosclerosis
and its progression
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