[The intima of the common carotid artery in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia].

Using sonography, the common carotid artery was examined in patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia and in controls. In 21 controls, the intima was present in 62%, intimal thickness was 0.41 +/- 0.14 mm. In patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia free of ischaemic heart disease (46 patients), the intima was demonstrable in 89%, intimal thickness was 0.74 +/- 0.21 mm. In patients with ischaemic heart disease (19 patients), the intima could be demonstrated in 100%, its thickness was 0.84 +/- 0.31 mm. In 21 patients with familial combined hyperlipoproteinaemia, the intima was present in 90%, intimal thickness was 0.73 +/- 0.17 mm. Intimal thickness was significantly greater (p < 0.001) in all groups of patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia than in the control group. A significant correlation between cholesterol levels and intimal thickness (p < 0.01) was demonstrated.