Carotid ultrasound improves the cardiovascular risk stratification of individuals with the skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), according to a study published Jan. 4 in PLOS One.
As part of the study, researchers performed carotid ultrasound on 60 HS patients without a history of cardiovascular events, diabetes or chronic kidney disease, according to Cardiovascular Business. They also assessed each patient’s risk for cardiovascular disease based on the common predictive tool, the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). The objective of the ultrasounds was to test for atherosclerotic plaques.
“Based on our data, we recommended the use of carotid (ultrasound) in HS-patients with an intermediate risk for cardiovascular disease,” lead author Marcos Antonio Gonzalez-Lopez, MD, PhD, and colleagues wrote in the study. “Low-risk HS individuals aged 50 years and older, active smokers, with severe or longstanding disease (less than 20 years) should be considered for carotid ultrasonography assessment according to an individualized clinical evaluation.”
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Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.