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Introduction: In the Netherlands, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is higher among South-Asian Surinamese and lower among Moroccans compared to the Dutch. Traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic CVD do not fully explain these disparities. We aimed to assess ethnic differences in plaque presence and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and explore to what extent these differences are explained by traditional risk factors. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a subgroup of participants enrolled in the multi-ethnic population-based Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study who underwent carotid ultrasonography. Logistic and linear regression models were built to assess ethnic differences in plaque presence and cIMT with the Dutch population as reference. Additional models were created to adjust for socioeconomic status, body height, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Of the 3,022 participants, 1,183, 1,051, and 790 individuals were of Dutch, South-Asian Surinamese, and Moroccan descent, respectively. Mean age was 60.9 years (SD: 8.0), and 52.8% were female. Compared to the Dutch, we found lower odds for plaque presence in Moroccans (0.77, 95% CI: 0.62; 0.95) and no significant differences between the South-Asian Surinamese and Dutch population (0.91, 95% CI: 0.76; 1.10). After adjustment for CVD risk factors, we found a lower plaque presence in South-Asian Surinamese (0.63, 95% CI: 0.48; 0.82). In both Moroccan and South-Asian Surinamese individuals, adjustment for socioeconomic status did not materially change the results. cIMT was lower in South-Asian Surinamese compared to the Dutch (−17.9 μm, 95% CI: −27.9; −7.9) and partly explained by ethnic differences in the body height as South-Asian Surinamese individuals were, on average, shorter than the Dutch population. No differences in cIMT between Moroccans and Dutch were found. Conclusions: cIMT and plaque prevalence differ between ethnic groups independent of CVD risk. Lower plaque prevalence in Moroccans was partly attributable to a lower prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors, while body height was an important contributor to differences in cIMT in South Asians. This study emphasizes the need for ethnic-specific cut-off values for plaque presence and cIMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: During application of a distal coronary bypass connector, we employed 13MHz epicardial ultrasound to evaluate quantitative caliper measurements for vessel size matching and to assess anastomosis quality after connector deployment. Methods: Two S2AS connector anastomoses were constructed on ex vivo pressure-perfused porcine hearts. Epicardial ultrasound measurements of the connector ring and anastomosis were compared to intravascular ultrasound measurement and cast dimensions. In 21 pigs, anastomotic sites with internal diameter of 2.25–3.0mm (internal mammary artery, IMA) and 1.8–2.2mm (left anterior descending coronary artery, LAD) were selected using external caliper and epicardial ultrasound measurements. Anastomoses were visualized and assessed intraoperatively (beating heart, n =21) and at 3 and 6 months’ follow-up (explanted heart, n =10 each). Results: Epicardial ultrasound underestimated connector dimension by ≤5% versus intravascular ultrasound and deviated ≤13% from cast dimensions for other anastomotic measurements. Caliper estimates of internal IMA and LAD diameter differed from ultrasound by −3±6% and −2±7% (mean±SD), respectively. Intraoperatively, the anastomotic orifice was flawless in all animals. It remained fully patent at 3 and 6 months by ultrasound, which was confirmed by histology. The connector to LAD percentage diameter stenosis changed from −12±5% intraoperatively to −1±7% at 3 months and from −5±6% intraoperatively to −16±13% at 6 months, in the growing pig model. Conclusions: In the pig, external caliper measurements provided a reliable quantitative estimate of inner graft and coronary diameter for connector size matching. Epicardial 13MHz ultrasound is a promising method to assess coronary anastomosis quality even when connector metal is present. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]