The influence of the ethanol in alcoholic beverages in the atherosclerosis of the extracranial carotid arteries

THE INFLUENCE OF THE ETHANOL IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS OF THE EXTRACRANIAL CAROTID ARTERIES (ABSTRACT)^*. DISSERTATION. SÃO PAULO, 1999.

IBSEN THADEO DAMIANI^**

There is less incidence of occlusive cerebrovascular disease and atherosclerosis of the coronary as well other arteries with a light to moderate alcohol consumption, suggesting that the same may occur with respect with the extracranial carotid arteries.

Using color echo-Doppler and duplex ultrasonography, 328 extracranial carotid arteries of white male and females over 35 years old, with normal blood pressure, non-smokers and free of the main diseases make up the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. They were stratified, according to the level of weekly alcohol consumption in milliliters (ml), in abstainers, light drinkers (1 to 100 ml), moderate drinkers (101 to 300 ml) and heavy drinkers (over 301 ml).

There was a lower incidence of atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis in the moderate drinkers.

Conclusion: the research suggests that ethyl alcohol when drunk with moderation exerts a protective action from atherosclerosis of the carotid.

Key words: alcohol, extracranial carotid arteries, echo-Doppler.

**Address: Rua Frei Caneca 444 / 23, 01307-000 São Paulo SP, Brasil. FAX: [phone].

*

A influência do etanol das bebidas alcoólicas na aterosclerose em artérias carótidas extracranianas (Resumo). Dissertação de Mestrado, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (área: Neurologia). Orientador: Milberto Scaff.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  03 Apr 2000
• Date of issue
  Dec 1999