Relationship between high intensity transient signals at common carotid artery by paste type probe and cerebro-cardiovascular disease in the residents in the area of Chu-etsu Oki Earthquake

Purpose: We attempted to detect high intensity transient signals (HITS) at common carotid artery (carotid HITS) by paste type Doppler probe in residents at Kashiwazaki City where big earthquake occurred in 2008. Calf deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has been detected frequently in the residents due to earthquake. It was examined whether it relates to DVT, cerebro-cardiovascular diseases (CCVDs), etc. Subjects and Methods: We conducted screening for 522 residents in Kashiwazaki City in 2016–2017. HITS were detected by using 2.0MHz paste type probe at carotid artery for 5min. Results: Carotid HITS was detected in 39 (7.5%). Statistically significant risk factors in the carotid HITS positive group were arterial velocity pulse index (AVI), CCVDs and atrial fibrillation. Univariate analysis of cerebro-cardiovascular disease indicated an odds ratio of 3.8 (95% CI: 1.8–7.9, p = 0.001) in the carotid HITS positive, and furthermore odds ratio 3.6 (95% CI: 1.6–7.9, p = 0.001) was found in the same group in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Carotid HITS was a significant risk factor for CCVDs and atrial fibrillation in the general population. Therefore, it was suggested that detection of HITS at carotid artery by paste type probe may be useful for prevention of embolic disease.