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

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 62; no. 4; pp. 1022 - 1026
• Main Authors: Damiani, Ibsen Thadeo, Gagliardi, Rubens José, Scaff, Milberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil 01-12-2004
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking - blood; Alcoholic Beverages; Atherosclerosis - blood; Atherosclerosis - diagnostic imaging; Atherosclerosis - prevention & control; Carotid Artery, External - diagnostic imaging; Carotid Stenosis - blood; Carotid Stenosis - diagnostic imaging; Carotid Stenosis - prevention & control; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol - blood; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sex Distribution; Sex Factors; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
• ISSN: 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-282X2004000600017

There is less incidence of occlusive cerebrovascular disease, of coronarian atherosclerosis and of other arteries with a light to moderate consumption of alcohol, suggesting that the same may occur with respect with the extracranial carotid arteries. Using color Doppler ultrasonography, we studied 328 extracranial carotid arteries of white male and females over 35 year 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), moderate drinkers (101 to 300) and heavy drinkers (over 301). There was a lower incidence of atherosclerotic plaque and stenosis in the moderate drinkers.
The study suggests that ethyl alcohol when drunk with moderation exerts a protective action from carotid atherosclerosis.