The importance of carotid artery stiffness and increased intima-media thickness in obese children.

Background: Atherosclerosis that starts in childhood invariably advances during adulthood. Aim. We aimed to study the effect of obesity on main carotid artery intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness.

Evaluation of possible subclinical atherosclerosis in adolescents with a family history of premature atherosclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate possible subclinical atherosclerosis using biomarkers and ultrasound-guided methods in a group of adolescents having fathers with premature atherosclerosis.

Methods: Thirty-three subjects whose fathers had a history of premature coronary artery disease and 30 counterparts whose fathers had no history of coronary artery disease were included in the study.

Results: The homocysteine levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, and cardiac chamber sizes and functions did not differ between the two groups.

Increased aortic pulse wave velocity in obese children.

Objectives: Obesity may start in childhood and obese children are more likely to grow up to be obese adults. Atherosclerosis is one of the most important complications of obesity. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a noninvasive measure of arterial stiffness, is accepted to be an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis.