Imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for carotid artery occlusion caused by skull base fracture:Three case reports

BACKGROUND Traumatic internal carotid artery(ICA)occlusion is a rare complication of skull base fractures,characterized by high mortality and disability rates,and poor prognosis.Therefore,timely discovery and correct management are crucial for saving the lives of such patients and improving their prognosis.This article retrospectively analyzed the imaging and clinical data of three patients,to explore the imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for carotid artery occlusion,combined with severe skull base fractures.CASE SUMMARY This case included three patients,all male,aged 21,63,and 16 years.They underwent plain film skull computed tomography(CT)examination at the onset of their illnesses,which revealed fractures at the bases of their skulls.Ultimately,these cases were definitively diagnosed through CT angiography(CTA)examinations.The first patient did not receive surgical treatment,only anticoagulation therapy,and recovered smoothly with no residual limb dysfunction(Case 1).The other two patients both developed intracranial hypertension and underwent decompressive craniectomy.One of these patients had high intracranial pressure and significant brain swelling postoperatively,leading the family to choose to take him home(Case 2).The other patient also underwent decompressive craniectomy and recovered well postoperatively with only mild limb motor dysfunction(Case 3).We retrieved literature from PubMed on skull base fractures causing ICA occlusion to determine the imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for this type of disease.CONCLUSION For patients with cranial trauma combined with skull base fractures,it is essential to complete a CTA examination as soon as possible,to screen for blunt cerebrovascular injury.

Choroidal infarction after internal carotid artery stenting

Dear Editor,We present a case of choroidal infarction along with retinal infarction after carotid artery stenting(CAS),which is a rare condition not reported in the literature.CAS has increasingly been accepted as the mainstay reconstruction method for carotid artery stenosis compared with carotid endarterectomy(CEA)due to no need for general anesthesia.

Endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula resulting from rupture of intracavernous carotid aneurysm: A case report

BACKGROUND Direct carotid cavernous fistulas(CCFs)are typically the result of a severe traumatic brain injury.High-flow arteriovenous shunts secondary to rupture of an intracavernous aneurysm,resulting in direct CCFs,are rare.The use of a pipeline embolization device in conjunction with coils and Onyx glue for treatment of direct high-flow CCF resulting from ruptured cavernous carotid artery aneurysm in a clinical setting is not well documented.CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old woman presented to our department with symptoms of blepharoptosis and intracranial bruits for 1 wk.During physical examination,there was right eye exophthalmos and ocular motor palsy.The rest of the neurological examination was clear.Notably,the patient had no history of head injury.The patient was treated with a pipeline embolization device in the ipsilateral internal carotid artery across the fistula.Coils and Onyx were placed through the femoral venous route,followed by placement of the pipeline embolization device with assistance from a balloon-coiling technique.No intraoperative or perioperative complications occurred.Preoperative symptoms of bulbar hyperemia and bruits subsided immediately after the operation.CONCLUSION Pipeline embolization device in conjunction with coiling and Onyx may be a safe and effective approach for direct CCFs.

Ultrafast pulse wave velocity technique for evaluating changes of carotid artery elasticity in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients with euthyroidism

Objective To explore the value of ultrafast pulse wave velocity(UFPWV)technique for evaluating changes of carotid artery elasticity in Hashimoto thyroiditis(HT)patients with euthyroidism.Methods Conventional ultrasound and UFPWV for carotid artery were prospectively performed in 91 HT patients with euthyroidism(HT group)and 81 healthy subjects(control group).Clinical data and ultrasonic parameters were compared between groups.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to observe the correlations of carotid pulse wave velocity in end of systole(PWV-ES)with clinical indexes and other ultrasonic parameters in HT group.Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was used to screen the independent impact factors of increased carotid PWV-ES in HT group.Results Significant differences of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb),thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb),total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)were found between groups(all P<0.05).The carotid PWV-ES in HT group was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05),while no significant difference of carotid artery intima-media thickness(CIMT)nor carotid pulse wave velocity in beginning of systole(PWV-BS)was found between groups(both P>0.05).Carotid PWV-ES in HT group was positively correlated with patients'age,body mass index,TPOAb,TC,triglyceride,NLR and CIMT(r=0.217—0.707,all P<0.05).Patients'age,TPOAb and NLR were all independent impact factors of increased carotid PWV-ES in HT patients with euthyroidism(all P<0.05).Conclusion UFPWV technique could be used to evaluate changes of carotid artery elasticity in HT patients with euthyroidism,among which PWV-ES was relatively sensitive.

Early diagnostic value of carotid artery ultrasound parameters combined with epicardial adipose layer thickness in coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease is associated with coronary atherosclerosis indicated by carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT)thickening and altered vascular elasticity.The epicardial adipose layer can secrete proinflammatory factors that promote the formation of coronary atherosclerosis.Thus,the epicardial fat layer thickness(EAT)may also predict coronary heart disease.AIM To determine the role of common carotid artery ultrasound parameters and EAT in the early diagnosis of coronary artery disease.METHODS Based on coronary angiography,patients with newly suspected coronary heart disease were divided into case(n=107)and control(n=41)groups.The carotid ultrasound parameters,including vascular stiffness(β),elastic coefficient(EP),pulse wave conduction velocity(PWV-β),CIMT,and EAT were compared between the case and control groups and among patients with different lesion numbers in the case group.Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the early diagnostic value of EAT,common carotid artery elasticity,and CIMT for coronary heart disease.RESULTS EP,β,PWV-β,CIMT,and EAT were significantly higher in the case group compared with the levels in the control group(all P<0.001).In the case group,lesions were detected in one vessel in 34 patients,two vessels in 38 patients,and three vessels in 35 patients.Within the case group,β,EP,PWV-β,CIMT,and EAT levels significantly increased with an increased number of lesions(all P<0.001).EAT positively correlated withβ,EP,PWV-β,and CIMT(all P<0.01).The area under the curve for diagnosing coronary heart disease using EAT combined with CIMT and carotid elasticity was 0.893,and the sensitivity and specificity were 0.890 and 0.837.CONCLUSION EAT correlated well with changes in carotid artery elasticity and CIMT in patients with coronary heart disease.The combination of EAT,carotid artery elasticity,and CIMT facilitates the early diagnosis of coronary heart disease.

Imaging characteristics and treatment strategies for carotid artery occlusion caused by skull base fracture

The internal carotid artery occlusion caused by head and neck trauma,also known as traumatic intracranial artery occlusion,is relatively rare clinically.Traumatic skull base fracture is a common complication of traumatic brain injury.Traumatic skull base fracture is one of the causes of traumatic internal carotid artery occlusion.If not detected early and treated in time,the prognosis of patients is poor.This editorial makes a relevant analysis of this disease.

Cerebral perfusion in patients with unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion by dual post-labeling delays arterial spin labeling imaging

BACKGROUND Global and regional cerebral blood flow(CBF)changes in patients with unilateral internal carotid artery occlusion(ICAO)are unclear when the dual post-labeling delays(PLD)arterial spin labeling(ASL)magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)technique is used.Manual delineation of regions of interest for CBF measurement is time-consuming and laborious.AIM To assess global and regional CBF changes in patients with unilateral ICAO with the ASL-MRI perfusion technique.METHODS Twenty hospitalized patients with ICAO and sex-and age-matched controls were included in the study.Regional CBF was measured by Dr.Brain's ASL software.The present study evaluated differences in global,middle cerebral artery(MCA)territory,anterior cerebral artery territory,and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score(ASPECTS)regions(including the caudate nucleus,lentiform nucleus,insula ribbon,internal capsule,and M1-M6)and brain lobes(including frontal,parietal,temporal,and insular lobes)between ICAO patients and controls at PLD 1.5 s and PLD 2.5 s.RESULTS When comparing CBF between ICAO patients and controls,the global CBF in ICAO patients was lower at both PLD 1.5 s and PLD 2.5 s;the CBF on the occluded side was lower in 15 brain regions at PLD 1.5 s,and it was lower in 9 brain regions at PLD 2.5 s;the CBF in the contralateral hemisphere was lower in the caudate nucleus and internal capsule at PLD 1.5 s and in M6 at PLD 2.5 s.The global CBF in ICAO patients was lower at PLD 1.5 s than at PLD 2.5 s.The ipsilateral CBF at PLD 1.5 s was lower than that at PLD 2.5 s in 15 regions,whereas the contralateral CBF was lower at PLD 1.5 s than at PLD 2.5 s in 12 regions.The ipsilateral CBF was lower than the contralateral CBF in 15 regions at PLD 1.5 s,and in M6 at PLD 2.5 s.CONCLUSION Unilateral ICAO results in hypoperfusion in the global and MCA territories,especially in the ASPECTS area.Dual PLD settings prove more suitable for accurate CBF quantification in ICAO.

Massive Epistaxis Revealing a Post-Traumatic Aneurysm of the Internal Carotid Artery: A Clinical Case and Review of the Literature

Internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms are an unusual but serious cause of epistaxis. This epistaxis is massive and sometimes uncontrollable threatening the vital prognosis of patients. We report the case of a 16-year-old adolescent received in emergency with severe bilateral epistaxis, asthenia and grade-3 left exophthalmos. In his history, the subject had been the victim of an assault six months before consultation. He had received blows on the cephalic extremity with light but repeated epistaxis. The treatment consisted to blood products transfusion and local compression by sterile gazes. An ICA aneurysm in sphenoid sinus has been confirmed in a craniofacial CT scan coupled to vascular opacification. Although the ICA has a variable course in contact with the sphenoid sinus, massive epistaxis would be the consequence of a pronounced dehiscence of the ICA in the sphenoid sinus, particularly in a traumatic context. In front of this type of epistaxis in our context, general practitioners must be able to suspect a ruptured ICA aneurysm in the presence of exophthalmos and a notion of old or recent cranio-encephalic injury. Additionally, due to the high morbidity and mortality of this condition, a monitoring algorithm is necessary for patients with head trauma to facilitate early detection.

Carotid versus axillary artery cannulation for descending aorta remodeling in type A acute aortic dissection

BACKGROUND Arterial cannulation sites for the surgical repair of type A aortic dissection(AAD)have evolved from right axillary artery(AA)cannulation to bilateral carotid artery(CA)based of femoral artery(FA)cannulation.Postoperative descending aorta remodeling is closely linked to the false lumen area ratio(FLAR),defined as false lumen area/aortic area,as well as to the incidence of renal replacement therapy(RRT).AIM To investigate the effect of the updated arterial cannulation strategy on descending aortic remodeling.METHODS A total of 443 AAD patients who received FA combined cannulation between March 2015 and March 2023 were included in the study.Of these,209 received right AA cannulation and 234 received bilateral CA cannulation.The primary outcome was the change in FLAR,as calculated from computed tomography angiography in three segments of the descending aorta:Thoracic(S1),upper abdominal(S2),and lower abdominal(S3).Secondary outcomes were the incidence of RRT and the serum inflammation response,as observed by the levels of high sensitivity C reaction protein(hs-CRP)and Interleukin-6(IL-6).RESULTS The postoperative/preoperative ratio of FLAR in S2 and S3 was higher in the AA group compared to the CA group(S2:0.80±0.08 vs 0.75±0.07,P<0.001;S3:0.57±0.12 vs 0.50±0.12,P<0.001,respectively).The AA group also had a significantly higher incidence of RRT(19.1%vs 8.5%,P=0.001;odds ratio:2.533,95%CI:1.427-4.493)and higher levels of inflammation cytokines 24 h after the procedure[hr-CRP:117±17 vs 104±15 mg/L;IL-6:129(103,166)vs 83(69,101)pg/mL;both P<0.001]compared to the CA group.CONCLUSION The CA cannulation strategy was associated with better abdominal aorta remodeling after AAD repair compared to AA cannulation,as observed by a greater change in FLAR and lower incidence of RRT.

Ultrasound Combined with CTA in Diagnosis of Painless Aortic Dissection Combined with Carotid Artery Active Thrombosis: A Case Report

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a relatively rare but dreadful illness, often accompanied by severe, sharp (or tearing) back pain or anterior chest pain, as well as acute hemodynamic compromise. Painless dissection has also been reported in rare cases and might be misdiagnosed due to its atypical symptoms leading to catastrophic outcomes. Case presentation: The patient was admitted to the hospital due to right limb weakness with speech inability for more than 10 hours. In the routine cardiac ultrasound examination, the avulsion intimal echo was found in the initial segment of the descending aorta. The rupture range was about 11 mm, and the lumen was separated into real and false lumen. Further computed tomography angiography (CTA) examination confirmed the major arterial dissection (De Bakey Type I). Conclusion: We report a case of painless aortic dissection with active carotid artery thrombosis diagnosed by ultrasound and CTA, and to improve the understanding of painless aortic dissection by reviewing relevant domestic and foreign literature.

The Relationship Between NLRP3 Inflammasome and Its Downstream Inflammatory Factors in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis Under Cigarette Exposure

Aim:To study the relationship between NLRP3(nucleotide oligomerization domain[NOD]-,leucine-rich repeats[LRR]-,and pyrin domain-containing protein 3)inflammasome and its downstream inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)patients with carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)under cigarette exposure,further exploring the risk factors of CAS in OSA patients.Methods:A total of 109 adult males who underwent polysomnography and carotid artery ultrasonography in our hospital from October 2019 to December 2021 were selected.According to the detection results,they were divided into the OSA group,the CAS group,and the OSA combined CAS group;additionally,29 healthy subjects who underwent a physical examination were also included.According to whether they were smoking,the groups were further divided into smoking and non-smoking groups.The age,body mass index(BMI),blood pressure,apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),lowest blood oxygen saturation(LSaO2),carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT),levels of blood sugar,blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDLc),and serum NLRP3,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-18(IL-18)of all subjects were recorded.Results:The OSA combined CAS group had higher LDLc levels and AHI and lower LSaO2 than the OSA group and CAS group.The levels of serum NLRP3,IL-1β,and IL-18 in the OSA group were higher than those in the normal control group(P<0.05);and those in the OSA combined CAS group were higher than the OSA group and CAS group(P<0.05),regardless of cigarette exposure.Considering cigarette exposure,serum NLRP3,IL-1β,and IL-18 levels were higher in the OSA,CAS,and OSA combined CAS smoking groups than those in the non-smoking group(P<0.05).Under cigarette exposure,AHI,LDLc,NLRP3,IL-1β,and IL-18 were significantly positively correlated(P<0.05),and LSaO2 was negatively correlated with CAS in OSA(P<0.05).AHI,LSaO2,LDLc,NLRP3,and IL-1βare the risk factors for OSA combined with CAS.Conclusion:LSaO2,AHI,LDLc,NLRP3,and IL-1βare the important risk factors for OSA combined with CAS under cigarette exposure,and their levels can be used to predict the occurrence of CAS in OSA.

基于临床基线特征与颈动脉超声参数构建脑卒中高危人群颈动脉易损斑块模型

背景:研究表明,颈动脉斑块的易损性和弹性与斑块内新生血管的存在及形成程度有关。超声作为筛查和评价颈动脉易损斑块的首选检查手段,具有无创、操作便捷、可重复性高和无辐射等的特点。目的:基于临床基线特征与颈动脉超声参数,探讨脑卒中高危人群颈动脉易损斑块的影响因素,基于独立危险因素构建并验证风险列线图(Nomogram)预测模型。方法:回顾性选取2021年11月到2023年11月于抚州市第一人民医院行脑卒中筛查确定为脑卒中高危人群的180例患者作为研究对象,将180例患者按7∶3比例分为建模集(n=126)和验证集(n=54),根据颈动脉超声检查结果将建模集研究对象分为易损斑块组(n=54)和非易损斑块组(n=72)。通过多因素Logistic回归得出独立危险因素,构建Nomogram模型,并使用R语言绘制决策曲线以评估模型的临床效益。采用受试者工作特征曲线和校准曲线检验模型的预测效能,同时分析验证集的病例数据进行外部验证。结果与结论:①多因素Logistic回归结果显示,年龄、脑卒中家族史、颈动脉斑块最大厚度值、颈动脉斑块数量、尿微量白蛋白和尿微量白蛋白/肌酐均与脑卒中高危人群颈动脉易损斑块有关(P<0.05)。②构建的Nomogram模型受试者工作特征曲线下面积为0.917,灵敏度和特异度分别为79.6%和91.7%;决策曲线结果显示,该模型的潜在临床获益可观,可用性较高;校准曲线结果提示,模型具备较好的预测准确性;验证集结果显示,模型的外部预测性能良好。③结果说明,脑卒中高危人群颈动脉易损斑块受年龄、脑卒中家族史、颈动脉斑块最大厚度值等因素影响,基于各独立危险因素构建的风险Nomogram预测模型的预测性能良好,可为临床上治疗此类高危人群提供有力的参考依据。

DSA Diagnosis of Carotid Body Tumor

Objective: To make a further understanding of the DSA features of the carotid body tumor (CBT) and to explore the clinical value of DSA diagnosis and interventional treatment for CBT. Methods: Twelve cases of CBT with DSA data were analyzed retrospectively. The DSA appearances in all of the patients were observed dynamically in a double blind manner by two experienced radiologists together and a consensus interpretation formed. Results: DSA could establish definitive diagnosis in all cases. The DSA features of the CBT were: the increase of bifurcation angles of internal and external carotid arteries in all cases; the CBT supplied by external carotid arteries in most cases and the significant increase of tumor vessels in bifurcation; invasion of internal or external carotid arteries in 6 cases. The tumor staining disappeared mostly after the supplying arteris were embolized in 2 cases, and the bleeding during the operation reduced significantly. Conclusion: The DSA is useful in the diagnosis of the CBT and for therapeutic planning. The pre-operation embolization of the CBT contributes to reduce the bleeding during operation.

二阶Carotid-Kundalini函数Julia分形集的特征

Julia分形图是研究复动力系统的一种有力工具.本文研究了由二阶Carotid-Kundalini函数f(z)=cos(Nz2arccos(z))+c生成的Julia分形图的性质:当c为实数和N为实数或纯虚数时,分形图具有对称性;当N为实数,c=0时,图形具有5主瓣和4个从主瓣上发出的触角,且触角无界.

高阶Carotid-Kundalini函数Julia分形集的特性

Julia分形图是研究复动力系统的一种有力工具。文章研究了由高阶Carotid-Kundalini函数f(z)=cos(Nzkarccos(z))+c生成的Julia分形图的性质:当c为实数和N为实数或纯虚数时,分形图具有对称性;当N为实数,c=0时,图形具有2k+1个主瓣,和2k个从主瓣上发出的触角,且触角无界。

身体活动水平对2型糖尿病患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度增厚的影响研究

背景心血管疾病是2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者的主要死亡原因,颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)增厚可预测心血管疾病的发生。中高水平的身体活动(PA)可改善患者的血糖水平并降低心血管疾病的发生率和死亡风险。探讨这一可改变的生活方式与CIMT的关系可能是预防心血管疾病的有效策略。目的分析不同PA水平与T2DM患者CIMT增厚的关系,为患者推荐个性化活动方案提供科学依据。方法本研究为横断面研究,选取2019年1月—2022年2月于江苏省两家三级甲等医院内分泌门诊就诊的3099例T2DM患者为研究对象,采用国际身体活动量表(IPAQ)短问卷评估患者的PA水平,将患者分为轻度及以下PA组、中度PA组和高强度PA组。通过二元Logistic回归分析探讨PA与CIMT增厚的关系,并按照不同肥胖程度和血压、血脂及糖化达标状况进行分层分析。将PA水平作为连续变量绘制限制性立方样条评价PA与CIMT增厚的剂量反应关系。结果与轻度及以下PA患者(n=981)相比,中度(n=1389)和高强度(n=729)PA患者的年龄较小,糖化血红蛋白(HbA_(1c))和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平较高(P<0.05)。二元Logistic回归分析结果显示,中度PA与发生CIMT增厚的风险呈负关联(OR=0.775,95%CI=0.629~0.956,P<0.05),这种关联独立于社会人口学、生活方式及血脂等生化指标。进一步绘制限制性立方样条结果显示,PA与CIMT增厚的风险之间存在非线性关系(P_(非线性)=0.014)。分层分析结果显示,在体质量正常(n=996)和超重(n=1395)的患者中未发现PA与CIMT的关系(P>0.05);而在肥胖患者(n=708)中仅中度PA与CIMT增厚相关(OR=0.614,95%CI=0.382~0.987,P<0.05);血压、血脂及糖化3项指标均不达标(n=324)和仅1项指标达标(n=1416)的患者,中度PA与发生CIMT增厚呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论PA水平与CIMT增厚存在剂量反应关系,中度PA与CIMT增厚呈负相关,尤其是在肥胖、血压、血脂及糖化控制较差的人群中,而高强度PA对CIMT的影响不显著。

Carotid-Kundalini函数和Logistic映射在分形编码中的应用

Julia分形图是研究复动力系统的一个重要的工具。将Carotid-Kundalini函数f(z)=cos(Nzarccosz)+C和Logistic映射运用到分形图像压缩中。对不同的N和C生成不同的曲线;用Logistic映射生成的整数填充量化表,用于量化生成的Carotid-Kun-dalini曲线,得到丰富且固定的压缩字典,解决了图像和数据字典之间一一对应的问题。与传统的分形编码方法相比,该方法具有良好的压缩效果,较快的编解码速率,高质量的解码图像。

关于Carotid-Kundalini函数的分形集

Cooper考虑了用f(z)=cos(Nzarccos(z))+c,cosz=(eiz+e-iz)/2定义的复Carotid-Kundalini函数,并研究了该函数的分形集.本文研究了该分形集的对称性和无界性,给出了在Julia型、Mandelbrot型分形集中用迭代方法产生的无界分形集.

Recanalization of extracranial internal carotid artery occlusion A 12-year retrospective study

This study aimed to summarize therapy experience of carotid endarterectomy, carotid endarterec- tomy combined with Fogarty catheter embolectomy, and hybrid surgery for the treatment of extrac- ranial internal carotid artery occlusion. The study included 65 patients with extracranial internal ca- rotid artery occlusion who underwent carotid endarterectomy, carotid endarterectomy combined with Fogarty catheter embotectomy, or hybrid surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, China between January 2006 and December 2012. Prior to surgery, all patients underwent perfusion CT or xenon CT to evaluate the occlusion. The procedure for each patient was chosen according to digital subtraction angiography data. The carotid artery was successfully recanalized in 46 of 51 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, 9 of 10 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy combined with Fogarty catheter embolectomy, and 3 of 4 patients who underwent hybrid surgery. In patients with symptomatic carotid artery occlusion, the carotid artery can be recanalized by choosing a treatment procedure based on imaging ex- amination findings.

Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis predicts all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography

BACKGROUND Obesity is a major health problem due to its high prevalence. The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease is unclear. Some studies agree that certain conditions associated with obesity, such as physical inactivity or cardiovascular risk factors, are responsible for cardiovascular risk excess among obese people. Carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques(CP) have been associated with cardiovascular adverse events in healthy populations, and recent data suggest a higher prevalence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in obese and metabolically unhealthy patients. However, there are no studies correlating subclinical atherosclerosis and adverse events(AE) in obese subjects.AIM To determine the association between carotid disease and AE in obese patients with negative exercise echocardiography(EE).METHODS From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010, 2000 consecutive patients with a suspicion of coronary artery disease were submitted for EE and carotid ultrasonography. Exclusion criteria included previous vascular disease, left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, positive EE, significant valvular heart disease and inferior to submaximal EE. An AE was defined as all-cause mortality,myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as CP presence according to Manheim and the American Society of Echocardiography Consensus.RESULTS Of the 652 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 226(34.7%) had body mass indexes ≥ 30 kg/m2, and 76 of them(33.6%) had CP. During a mean follow-up time of 8.2(2.1) years, 27 AE were found(11.9%). Mean event-free survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 99.1%(0.6), 95.1%(1.4) and 86.5%(2.7), respectively. In univariate analysis, CP predicted AE [hazard ratio(HR) 2.52, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.17-5.46; P = 0.019]. In multivariable analysis, the presence of CP remained a predictor of AE(HR 2.26, 95%CI 1.04-4.95, P = 0.041). Other predictors identified were glomerular filtration rate(HR 0.98, 95%CI 0.96-0.99; P= 0.023), peak metabolic equivalents(HR 0.83, 95%CI 0.70–0.99, P = 0.034) and moderate mitral regurgitation(HR 5.02, 95%CI 1.42–17.75, P = 0.012).CONCLUSION Subclinical atherosclerosis defined by CP predicts AE in obese patients with negative EE. These patients could benefit from aggressive prevention measures.