Abstract
Introduction
Detection of extent and severity of atherosclerosis using easy, non-invasive methods is of great importance. Coronary atherosclerotic burden may be evaluated with the modified Gensini score (mGSS) while carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is well known as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis.
Aim
To investigate whether CIMT is a predictor of coronary atherosclerosis in Vietnamese patients.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study of 276 patients who was diagnosed index acute coronary syndrome and underwent coronary angiography. mGSS was used to determine the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. CIMT was estimated by carotid duplex ultrasound.
Results
In 276 patients, there were 192 men and 84 women, with ages ranging from 24 to 90 years. Median CIMT was 0.76mm (IQT 0.26mm); median mGSS was 140 (IQT 70). CIMT and mGSS were correlated with age (r= 0.269, p< 0.001 and r= 0.134, p< 0.001). CIMT were also correlated with vessels score (r= 0.222, p< 0.001), with stenosis score (r= 0.214, p< 0.001) and with the mGSS (r= 0.216, p< 0.001). This correlation were significantly recognized between groups with or without elevated CIMT.
Conclusion
Our data suggests that CIMT correlates positively with the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. CIMT may be useful as a screening tool for the presence of CAD in Vietnamese population.
Carotid intima-media thickness by B-mode ultrasound as surrogate of coronary atherosclerosis: correlation with quantitative coronary angiography and coronary intravascular ultrasound findings