Association Between Apical Periodontitis and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

"To perform the initial screening patients will undergo panoramic radiography and clinical examination followed by periapical radiographs of the teeth suspected of AP using the long cone paralleling technique with a film holder. The following parameters will be recorded:~1. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT index)~2. The number of teeth with AP~3. Periapical Index Score All individuals will undergo a cardiovascular examination in the Unit of Vascular Surgery, University of Siena (Siena, Italy). The cardiovascular assessment included physical examination, blood pressure measurement, past medical history and echo-color-doppler for the assessment of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), presence of abdominal aortic aneurysm and presence of peripheral pulses."