INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS OF CAROTID VESSELS AND CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS AND THEIR RELATION WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Abstract

Background- Atherosclerosis is a generalized process of vessels which involves ‎coronary arteries and carotid vessels in a similar fashion. In this study we evaluate the ‎relationship of coronary artery disease (CAD) with intima-media thickness (IMT) of ‎carotid vessels and carotid artery stenosis‏.‏‎<br />‎ Methods- 120 patients were subdivided into four groups: normal coronary; single ‎vessel (SVD) and two-vessel (2VD); and three-vessel disease (3VD), established by ‎means of coronary angiography. The groups were then prospectively evaluated with ‎color duplex ultrasound (CDUS) examination during a 1-year period to assess the ‎relationship of carotid artery stenosis and intima-media thickness (IMT) with CAD‏.‏ Results- from the 120 patients who underwent examination, two cases showed above ‎‎75% carotid stenosis, and 62.8% of the patients with three vessel disease exhibited ‎more than 1.2 mm intima-media thickness with p value < 0.001‎‏.‏ ‎<br />‎ Conclusions- We have not found a statistically significant relationship between ‎significant coronary artery disease and carotid artery stenosis but a remarkable ‎correlation with the degree of coronary artery disease and increased intima-media ‎thickness. Auscultation of a bruit in the neck is not a reliable indicator of carotid ‎artery Stenosis (Iranian Heart Journal 2003; 4 (4):60-62‎‏(.‏