Predictor of Advanced Subclinical Atherosclerosis

Overview

Evaluation of skin cholesterol for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic individuals at low, intermediate, or high risk based on Framingham Global Risk estimates. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a surrogate marker for atherosclerotic burden, that independently predicts the occurrence of heart attack and stroke, will be the "gold standard" comparator. Hypothesis: Skin cholesterol, as measured by two non-invasive tests, correlates with CAD, as measured by CIMT in this population.

This study will enroll 600 asymptomatic subjects at low (\<6%), intermediate (6-20% ), or high (\>20%) 10-year Framingham global cardiovascular risk in approximately equal proportions. Subjects will be enrolled from each of the three risk levels at each study site (6 total in the US). Subjects will be enrolled in a consecutive manner until there are 200 subjects from each risk level. We will track the number of subjects from each risk stratum. We will also ensure adequate representation of women (at least 33%) and African Americans (at least 25%)in the study. We will test the subjects with 2 non-invasive skin cholesterol tests and will take a sample of blood that will be tested for serum cholesterol values and other markers of CAD. Subjects will also undego a carotid IMT scan. The primary objective of the study is to see if skin cholesterol correlates with CAD, as measured by CIMT.

Conditions

Eligibility

Locations (6)