Sixty-four patients with familial hyperlipoproteinaemia were treated for almost four years by dietetic treatment and various hypolipidaemic drugs. In 25 patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia who had clinical signs of ischaemic heart disease total and LDL-cholesterol declined and the width of the intima of the common carotid artery diminished from 0.78 mm to 0.69 mm (p = 0.004). In the above artery the maximal flow rate of blood declined. The increase was, however, not statistically significant. In 12 patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia who suffered from ischaemic heart disease the width of the intima of the common carotid artery and maximum flow rate did not change, however, the diameter of the artery increased (from 6.3 to 6.6 mm, p = 0.034). In 27 patients with familial combined hyperlipidaemia during the drop of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols the width of the intima of the common carotid artery diminished (from 0.72 to 0.67 mm, p = 0.044), the diameter of the artery increased (from 6.1 to 6.4 mm, p = 0.014). The authors assume that the reduction of the width of the intima during hypolipidaemic treatment reflected the decline of cholesterol in the arterial wall and is a favourable sign which indicates possible regression of atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Carotid Artery, Common /pathology/; Female; Humans; Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined /complications/; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II /complications/; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia /complications/; Tunica Intima /pathology/