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OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the usefulness of the aortic knob width (AKW) in the assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients. METHODS: In this study on diagnostic accuracy, 374 consecutive hypertensive patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor were enrolled. AKW was measured on chest X-ray. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) was measured by VaSera-1000 CAVI instrument. The diagnostic value of AKW was assessed using ROC analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between aortic knob width and CAVI (r=0.45, p<0.001), age (0.39, p<0.001), systolic (r=0.17, p<0.001), diastolic (r=0.23, p<0.001) and mean (r=0.2, p<0.001) blood pressures. In linear regression analysis CAVI ([beta]=0.3, 95% CI 0.33-0.98, p<0.001), age ([beta]=0.3, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.21, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure [beta]=0.2, 95% CI 0.08-1.9, p<0.001) were independently associated with AKW. It was significantly higher in patients with subclinical atherosclerosis (CAVI >=9) than borderline (8 <=CAVI <9) (41.4±5.5 versus 36.7±5.3 mm, p<0.001) and healthy (CAVI <8) subjects (41.4±5.5 versus 35.5±4.3 mm, p<0.001). Analysis using the ROC curve has demonstrated that aortic knob of 41 mm constitutes the cut-off value for the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis with 71% sensitivity and 77% specificity (AUC-0.67, 95% CI 0.51-0.82). CONCLUSION: Observation of aortic knob on chest X-ray in hypertensive patients may provide important predictive information of subclinical atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Platelets have an important role in the pathogenesis of atherothrombosis. It has been shown that platelet size measured by mean platelet volume (MPV), correlates with their reactivity and is still regarded as an easy, useful tool for indirect monitoring of platelet activity in different situations. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has long been known to occur as a part of the atherosclerotic process. The aim of this study was to determine whether an association exists between MPV and CAC. METHODS: In this observational study, we enrolled 259 participants with at least one cardiac risk factor but with unknown cardiovascular disease. Coronary calcification was assessed by multislice computerized tomography and MPV was measured in a blood sample collected in EDTA tubes. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, correlation tests and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Calcium scores ranged from 0 to 735. There was a significant relation between CAC and MPV (r=0.24, p=0.02), age (r=0.32, p<0.001), hypertension (r=0.19, p=0.03), diabetes (r=0.16, p=0.005), smoking (r=0.17, p=0.001). In linear regression analysis, MPV ([beta]=0.4, 95%CI 19.8- 31.1, p<0.001), age ([beta]=0.13, 95%CI 0.23-2.4, p=0.01) and smoking ([beta]=0.12, 95%CI 3.2-15.1, p=0.02) independently associated with CAC. In addition, there were significant differences in MPV between significant CAC group compared to the minimal and none (10.2±2.4 versus 8.1±0.9 and 7.6±1.3; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We have found significant association between MPV and CAC. Although this study is purely correlative and no causative conclusions can be drawn, it may suggest that higher MPV may reflect increased atherosclerotic burden and cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]