Abstract
Background and Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of carotid artery plaque, in patients with coronary artery disease.
 Material and Methods: A total of 1000 patients with 40-80 years of age with coronary artery disease were enrolled. Carotid ultrasonography was performed in all these patients.
 Results: Among 100 patients with carotid artery disease, 36 had a carotid plaque. In plaque-positive cases, a majority of patients were in a 50 – 60-year age group. Dyslipidemia was found to be the most common risk factor for carotid plaque. In 36 plaque-positive cases, 20 (56%) were having the plaque at the carotid bulb and 16 (44%) were having the plaque at the common carotid artery. Out of 36 cases, 16 (44%) were hyperechogenic, 8 (22%) were calcified, 6 (17%) were moderate echogenic, 6 (17%) were low echogenic.
 Conclusion: High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography is a useful non-invasive method to evaluate carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid plaques of the common carotid artery are a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and associated with cardiovascular events. Routine screening of patients with coronary artery disease may be considered.
 Keywords: Carotid artery stenosis, coronary artery disease, cardiovascular events, atherosclerosis, carotid ultrasonography.
Highlights
Carotid artery disease has a well-known association with coronary artery disease
Carotid ultrasonography was performed in all these patients
Carotid plaques of the common carotid artery are a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and associated with cardiovascular events
Summary
Carotid artery disease has a well-known association with coronary artery disease. Both share common pathophysiologic pathways, including endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and thrombotic disease. Screening of patients with increased risk of atherosclerosis is important for more effective prevention of cardiovascular disease, because preclinical (silent) atherosclerotic plaques may develop in the arteries slowly over several decades before they rupture or obstruct an artery becoming clinically manifest. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography is a very useful non-invasive method to evaluate carotid atherosclerosis. It enables evaluation of carotid intimal medial thickness, plaque characteristics, and degree of stenosis. Conclusion: High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography is a useful non-invasive method to evaluate carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid plaques of the common carotid artery are a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis and associated with cardiovascular events.
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