ARE HODGKIN AND NON HODGKIN PATIENTS TO A GREATER RISK OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS? A FOLLOW UP OF 3YEARS

Aims and background: To verify if Hodgkin and non Hodgkin patients are more affected by atherosclerotic process. Methods: We studied 66 patients during a period of 3 years (2004- 2007). In the first year, the patients were recently submitted to radio and chemo-therapy, after three years, far away from therapy, they were reviewed. All the cases underwent echo-color Doppler of the carotid axis and the intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured. Results: Compared the two years of the follow up, in the first, the cases present a greater IMT in the arterial discrict examined, while in the second year studied, patients had a reduction of IMT and so, they seem to improve. Flow mediated dilatation was impassed (FMD). Conclusion: Hodgkin and non Hodgkin patients present a greater IMT during therapy while after, they return in their precedent situation. A reduction of FMD seem to persist. Probably, lymphoma therapy predispose to precocious atherosclerotic process that can be tried to reverse from antioxidant therapy.