In 2003, all patients had colour Doppler evaluation of the
carotid axis using Esaote Technos MP High resolution
instrument (Toshiba, Tokyo, Japan) and 7.5-MHz probe for
B-mode ultrasound and 6-MHz for pulsed Doppler. This
test was repeated 36 months later. Themethod for studying
plaques and IMT is well known (Carpenter et al. 1996;
Contado et al. 1997).