Korean Circ J.  2005 Nov;35(11):795-800. 10.4070/kcj.2005.35.11.795.

Correlation between the Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and the Plaque Burden of the Left Main Coronary Artery Using Ultrasonography

• Hyun DW
• Kim KS
• Hur SH

• KMID: 2297957
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2005.35.11.795

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
It has been reported that the common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) correlates to angiographically determined coronary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the carotid IMT and left main (LM) plaque using ultrasonography.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
In fifty patients (mean age 59.6+/-9.9, males 35 (70%)) with coronary artery disease (CAD), the risk factors of atherosclerosis were evaluated and coronary angiographs obtained. The carotid IMT was measured in the far wall of both CCAs, with a 10 MHz linear probe, and the value of the IMT was automatically calculated using programmed software (M'ATH, METRIS Co., Argenteuil, France). The LM plaque was measured by intravascular ultrasound. The maximal thickness, ratio of the maximal thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA) and burden of the plaque were measured at 2 mm intervals, and the average values calculated.
RESULTS
In the right common carotid artery, the maximal IMT significantly correlated with the mean plaque CSA and plaque burden of the LM (r=0.375. p=0.007, r=0.408. p=0.003, respectively). The mean IMT significantly correlated with the plaque burden of the LM, but not with the mean plaque CSA of the LM (r=0.357. p=0.011, r=0.264. p=0.063, respectively). In the left common carotid artery, the maximal IMT was not significantly correlated with the mean plaque CSA and plaque burden of the LM (p=0.251, p=0.218, respectively). The mean IMT was not correlated with the mean plaque CSA and plaque burden of the LM (p=0.249, p=0.078, respectively).
CONCLUSION
There was a significant correlation between the right CCA IMT and plaque burden of the LM in patients with CAD.

Keyword

Ultrasound; Coronary disease; Carotid arteries

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Artery, Common
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Disease
Coronary Stenosis
Coronary Vessels*
Humans
Male
Risk Factors
Ultrasonography*