The arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) which can be assessed non-invasively by ultrasonography is regarded as a marker of the atherosclerotic process. The objective of this study was to evaluate a potential interrelation between the carotid IMT and parameters of blood rheology, lipid- and glucose metabolism in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore in 52 male patients with angiographically determined CAD the IMT of the carotid arteries were measured at two defined sites on both sides and an averaged IMT value was calculated (aIMT). Furthermore plasma viscosity, red blood cell aggregation as well as concentrations of fibrinogen and parameters of lipid- and glucose metabolism were determined. IMT values were found to be correlated with the concentrations of glucose (r=0.29; p<0.05) and insulin (r=0.29; p<0.05). The correlation between fibrinogen concentrations and IMT values nearly reached statistical significance (r=0.25; p=0.09). Interestingly there was no correlation between the IMT values and concentrations of cholesterol. These results underscore the pathogenetic relevance of fibrinogen levels and parameters of glucose metabolism in the process of atherosclerosis.