Ultrasonographic backscatter of the carotid artery wall in patients with HIV infection: a pilot study.

Aims: The aim of our study was to measure carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and risk factors associated with its development and progression, and to evaluate arterial wall characteristics through integrated backscatter analysis (IBS) in HIV patients.

Methods: Perspective cohort study enrolling 44 HIV patients treated with antiretroviral drugs who underwent standard B Mode cIMT measurement and tissue characterization of carotid wall by means of dedicated software by acoustic densitometry, at time 0 and 2 years later.

Major Findings: Cross-sectional evaluation performed at baseline found that cIMT value correlated significantly with age (r = 0.