Associations between Carotid Artery Plaque Score, Carotid Hemodynamics and Coronary Heart Disease.

Huiping Zhang,Haibo Li,Yu Zhu,Zewei Wu,Dandan Liu,Lingfei Han,Wenjie Sun,Tiantian Ren,Mengxue Liu,Xiangqian Wang,Mingliang Xu,Yufeng Wen

doi:10.3390/ijerph121114275

Abstract

Background: The carotid artery plaque score (PS) is an independent predictor of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). This study aims to evaluate the combination of PS and carotid hemodynamics to predict CHD. Methods: A total of 476 patients who underwent carotid ultrasonography and coronary angiography were divided into two groups depending on the presence of CHD. PS, carotid intima-media thickness, and carotid blood flow were measured. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to establish the best prediction model for CHD presence. Results: Age, sex, carotid intima-media thickness of internal carotid artery and carotid bifurcation, PS, peak systolic velocity (PSA) of right internal carotid artery (RICA), and most resistance index data were significantly related with the presence of CHD. The area under the curve for a collective model, which included factors of the PS, carotid hemodynamics and age, was significantly higher than the other model. Age, PS, and PSA of RICA were significant contributors for predicting CHD presence. Conclusions: The model of PS and PSA of RICA has greater predictive value for CHD than PS alone. Adding age to PS and PSA of RICA further improves predictive value over PS alone.

Highlights

In recent decades, the incidence and mortality rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) have increased in China, in urban areas [1,2]
There 476 Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) patients who underwent carotid ultrasonography and coronary angiography simultaneously were enrolled this study. It was a consecutive collection of enrolled patients
The patients were divided into two groups depending on CHD presence or absence

Summary

Introduction

The incidence and mortality rates of coronary heart disease (CHD) have increased in China, in urban areas [1,2]. Plaque thickness predicts cardiovascular risk [6]. It is likely for that reason that intima-media thickness (IMT) studies that include plaque thickness predict cardiovascular risk [7], in the elderly. Meta-analyses found that IMT measured without plaque is a weak predictor of cardiovascular risk [10], and progression of IMT did not predict cardiovascular risk [11], nor did regression of IMT [12]. In the 7year follow up report of that study, IMT in the common carotid did not predict coronary risk, IMT in the carotid bulb (including plaque thickness) was a weak predictor, and total plaque area was a strong predictor of coronary risk [13]. The carotid artery plaque score (PS) is an independent predictor of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Results: Age, sex, carotid intimamedia thickness of internal carotid artery and carotid bifurcation, PS, peak systolic velocity

Objectives

Methods

Results