Progression of carotid plaque burden in patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia

초록

PurposePrevention of vascular events is the main objective in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) or essential thrombocythemia (ET). Carotid ultrasonography (USG) is a safe and noninvasive diagnostic tool that can be used to stratify cardiovascular and stroke risks. In our previous study, carotid plaque burden was significantly higher in patients with PV/ET than in the general population. This study aimed to determine changes in carotid plaques in patients with PV/ET.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients with ET/PV who had undergone carotid USG at least twice.ResultsOf the 56 patients, 30 had PV and 26 had ET. The carotid plaque score was increased in the follow-up carotid USG compared with that in the initial carotid USG (3.38 +/- 1.47 vs. 3.73 +/- 1.46, p = 0.0139). The carotid plaque burden at the time of follow-up carotid USG showed no significant differences in patients with a complete hematologic response (CHR); however, it significantly worsened in patients who failed to achieve CHR.ConclusionWe confirmed that the carotid plaque burden persisted during follow-up in patients with PV/ET. A CHR may prevent an increase in carotid plaque burden.

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