Prediction of cardiovascular events with carotid IMT: a meta-analysis

Intima media thickness (IMT) of the carotid system is increasingly used as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. Its use relies on its ability to predict future clinical cardiovascular endpoints. In the present study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of data examining this association. Using a pre-specified MedLine search strategy, we identified eight relevant studies which were published until January 2006. We compared study design, measurement protocols and reported data and identified sources of heterogeneity between studies. To obtain a pooled estimate of the relative risk per IMT differe…