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Atherosclerosis Found on Carotid Ultrasonography Is Associated With Atherosclerosis on Coronary Intravascular Ultrasonography

Cerebrovascular (T.O., M.Y.as., K.N., K.M.) and Cardiovascular (M.Yam., O.S.) Divisions, Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Toshiyasu Ogata, MD, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. E-mail: togata{at}intmed2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Objective. Little has been reported on the relationship between left main coronary artery atherosclerosis and carotid ultrasonographic results. We evaluated the association between carotid and coronary atherosclerosis assessed by coronary intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) in 45 patients. Methods. We counted the number of plaques with intima-media thickness (IMT) greater than or equal to 1.1 mm and calculated a plaque score by summing all plaque thicknesses. With the use of IVUS, the percent plaque area was calculated at the proximal, middle, and distal sites of the left main coronary artery. The maximum percent plaque area and mean percent plaque area of the 3 sites were also calculated. Relationships among the degree of left main coronary artery atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis and vascular risk factors were evaluated. Results. The mean percent plaque area and maximum percent plaque area were increased in men and in patients with hypertension compared with women and those without hypertension (P < .1). Both the average of the maximum common carotid IMT and plaque number were correlated with both the mean percent plaque area and maximum percent plaque area (P < .05). Men, the presence of hypertension, and the average of the maximum common carotid IMT were correlated with both the mean percent plaque area and maximum percent plaque area by multiple linear regression analysis (P < .05). Conclusions. The average of the maximum common carotid IMT was significantly correlated with left main coronary artery atherosclerosis evaluated by IVUS.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • carotid arteries • coronary disease • ultrasonography

Abbreviations: CAD, coronary artery disease • IMT, intima-media thickness • IVUS, intravascular ultrasonography

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