Diagnosing subclinical carotid atherosclerosis for risk stratification in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a condition characterized by a significant variability of clinical manifestations and high risk of complications. The aim of the study was to diagnose subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with HeFH and to perform risk stratification considering the remodeling of carotid arteries. Study participants were divided into two subgroups: the first subgroup included HeFH patients with extremely high risk subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), whereas the second subgroup consisted of HeFH patients with high risk subclinical carotid atherosclerosis without CAD.