Research Article

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Factors as Markers of Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis

Table 1

Demographics and comorbidities of the study and reference group.

CharacteristicsStudy group (N = 20)Reference group (N = 40)Significance level

Age (years)70.6 (63.5–78.5)45.8 (38.0–53.6)
Sex (F/M)5/1520/20
BMI (kg/m2)26.89 (23.48–30.30)24.1 (22.96–26.69)
Smokers at present (yes/no)8/125/35
Arterial hypertension (yes/no)15/54/36
Diabetes mellitus or prediabetic condition (yes/no)10/100/40
Degree of stenosis of ICA undergoing endarterectomy:N.A.
  60–70%8N.A.
  71–84%4N.A.
  85–95%7N.A.
  >95%1N.A.
Single-vessel atherosclerosis/multiple-vessel atherosclerosis6/14N.A.N.A.
Stroke or TIA in the past (yes/no)8/120/40
Neurological symptoms of arterial occlusion within a year before surgery (symptomatic/asymptomatic)15/5N.A.N.A.
Myocardial infarction in the past or ischemic coronary disease (yes/no)7/130/40
Medications (grouped) % of the group:
  Calcium channel blockers405
  Beta-blockers302.5
  ACE inhibitors505
  Diuretics302.5
  Statins802.5
  Acetylsalicylic acid or other antiplatelet drugs852.5
  Heparin (LMWH)150
  Insulin150
  Oral hypoglycemic medications600
Laboratory test results
  White blood count (G/l)8.5 (7.85–10.45)5.35 (4.85–6.05)
  Platelet count (G/l)222 (188–332)219 (185–244)
  Total cholesterol (mmol/l)3.55 (2.78–4.48)4.51 (3.77–5.23)
  HDL-C (mmol/l)1.26 (0.98–1.55)1.58 (1.35–1.81)
  HDL-C (mmol/l) F1.37 (1.06–1.68)1.73 (1.60–2.12)
  HDL-C (mmol/l) M1.22 (1.04–1.41)1.49 (1.24–1.73)
  LDL-C (mmol/l)1.90 (1.26–2.51)2.49 (1.81–3.16)
  Triglycerides (mmol/l)1.06 (0.62–1.50)0.81 (0.60–1.10)
  Creatinine (µmol/l)72.3 (60.9–85.6)78.5 (66.2–90.8)
  Creatinine (µmol/l) F56.4 (54.2–61.9)71.4 (62.6–80.3)
  Creatinine (µmol/l) M79.4 (69.7–90.8)86.4 (75.0–97.9)

Data are presented as mean ± SD for parameter showing normal distribution or as median ± interquartile range when the distribution shows discrepancies from normal. was considered statistically significant. BMI: body mass index; ICA: internal carotid artery; N.A.: not applicable; TIA: transient ischemic attack; ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; LMWH: low-molecular-weight heparin; HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; F: female; M: male; LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and SD: standard deviation.