Mean Right and Left Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Measures in Cases With/Without Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

One of the important factors which should be considered in (Coronary artery disease) CAD cases is increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) which has been considered to be associated with coronary artery disease severity and cardiovascular events. The goal of this study was to compare risk factors and carotid IMT in cases with CAD and healthy subjects and to determine the association between severity of CAD and IMT. In this case-control study, 250 proved CAD cases and 250 healthy ones were enrolled. Ultrasound evaluation of carotid IMT Ultrasound quantification of the right and left carotid IMTs was obtained. Demographic characteristics (age and sex), risk factors (presence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia (HLP), hypertension (HTN) and smoking) were recorded for all participants. Presence of diabetes, HTN, HLP and mean age was significantly higher in patients than controls. There was positive correlation between IMTs and advancing CAD (for right IMT, rho=0.34, P<0.001, for IMT rho=0.47, P<0.001). Sex, HTN, HLP, right and left IMT measures were independent predictors of CAD. The best cutoff point for right IMT to differentiate patients from controls was 0.82 with sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 50% (AUC=0.70, P<0.001). The best cutoff point for left IMT to differentiate patients from controls was 0.85 with sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 55% (AUC=0.70, P<0.001). Carotid IMT increase should be considered as a surrogate factor for CAD.