Association of carotid artery atherosclerosis with coronary artery disease

Objective: To investigate the relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease by carotid ultrasound examination. Methods: 301 patients were divided into contrast group and coronary artery diseaes(CAD) group according to the results of coronary angiography. The CAD group was further divided into 1,2,3, stenosed vessel groups. The carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT), crouse score and plaque incidence were measured. Results: The IMT, crouse score and plaque incidence is significantly higher in CAD groups than in controls. A linear correlation between the IMT, crouse score and the extent of CAD is found. The specificity and sensitivity of using IMT0. 85mm and/or carotid atherosclerosis plaque with diagnosis CAD is respectively 75. 3% , 84.6% , the positive predictability is 88.4% . Conclusions: Carotid ultrasound examination can provide useful information in the diagnosis of CAD.