[Carotid atherosclerosis in patients with suspected coronaropathy: the relationship to traditional risk factors in the 2 vascular areas]

Abstract

In order to evaluate the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to identify the differential role of traditional risk factors, we analyzed data concerning 290 patients aged 61.9 +/- 10.8 years who underwent color duplex ultrasound of extracranial arteries before coronary angiography. Significant CA (stenosis > or = 50% in at least one extracranial artery) was disclosed in 44 patients (15%); significant CAD (stenosis > or = 70% at least in a major epicardial vessel) was documented in 238 patients (82%). Age and smoking were significantly associated with both CAD (respectively, p = 0.034 and p = 0.050) and CA (respectively, p = 0.000 and p = 0.000), but a stronger correlation was documented with CA (r = 0.325 vs r = 0.125 for age; r = 0.218 vs r = 0.114 for smoking). Diabetes (p = 0.031) and male gender (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with CAD, and hypertension (p = 0.029) with CA.

Conclusions: Traditional risk factors play different roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease of carotid and coronary circulation. Color duplex evaluation of the carotid arteries can be useful in high-risk patients, particularly if candidates for coronary surgery.