颈总动脉内膜-中膜厚度及粥样斑块与冠心病的关系

目的:研究颈总动脉内膜-中膜厚度(CIMT)及粥样斑块检出率与冠心病发病及冠脉病变严重程度的关系。方法:114例具有至少一项冠心病危险因素的患者,按冠状动脉造影结果分为冠心病组(70例)和对照组(44例),测定所有病例的双侧CIMT、颈总动脉内径和颈总动脉粥样斑块情况。结果:两组间各项冠心病危险因素均无显著差异。超声结果显示,冠心病组CIMT、粥样斑块检出率均显著增高(P<0.01),颈总动脉内径略增大,但差异不显著。CIMT≥0.8mm和检出粥样斑块为预测冠心病发病的独立指标(P<0.01)。CIMT和粥样斑块检出率均与冠脉病变严重程度呈正相关,在控制了多项影响因素后,相关性仍显著。结论:CIMT增厚、粥样斑块检出为冠心病发病的独立预测因素,并且与冠脉病变严重程度正相关。     

大动脉僵硬度对不良心血管事件的预测价值

目的探讨多种无创性动脉僵硬度(AS)指标对不良心血管事件发生的预测价值。方法选择有冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)危险因素并行冠状动脉造影患者198例,根据脉搏波中心动脉脉压(CPP)是否持续>45mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133kPa),分为AS增高组87例和对照组111例,随访、比较2组心血管不良事件发生率,Cox回归分析与心血管病不良预后相关的独立因素。结果与对照组比较,AS增高组收缩压、舒张压明显升高(P<0.01)。在随访(52±12)个月,发生终点事件42例,其中主要终点20例,次要终点22例。AS增高组主要终点事件和所有终点事件发生率较对照组明显升高(18.4%vs 3.6%,33.3%vs 11.7%,P=0.001)。Cox回归分析结果显示,CPP>45mm Hg(RR=3.86,95%CI:1.89⁷.87,P=0.001)、颈总动脉斑块程度(RR=2.17,95%CI:1.387.87,P=0.001)、颈总动脉斑块程度(RR=2.17,95%CI:1.38³.41,P=0.001)、冠状动脉病变程度(RR=1.70,95%CI:1.243.41,P=0.001)、冠状动脉病变程度(RR=1.70,95%CI:1.24².34,P=0.001)和脑血管病史(RR=3.26,95%CI:1.412.34,P=0.001)和脑血管病史(RR=3.26,95%CI:1.41⁷.52,P=0.007)是与心血管预后相关的影响因素。结论 CPP>45mm Hg和颈总动脉粥样硬化斑块程度均是不良心血管事件的预测因素。综合应用多种无创性AS指标对评估心血管病预后和指导三级预防具有重要的临床意义。     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉狭窄程度关系的研究

目的:探讨颈动脉粥样硬化(CA S)与冠状动脉粥样硬化(CAA S)的影响因素及二者的关系。方法:202例患者根据冠状动脉造影结果分为非冠心病组(NCHD组,54例,冠状动脉直径狭窄<50%);冠心病组(CHD组,148例,至少一支冠状动脉直径狭窄≥50%)。冠心病组又按其血管病变支数分为三个亚组:单支病变组(30例)、双支病变组(42例)、多支病变组(76例)。采用颈动脉超声检测双侧颈总动脉内-中膜厚度、斑块,与冠状动脉造影结果进行对比研究,比较各组之间二者的关系,分析CA S与CAA S的影响因素。结果:①高血压、低密度脂蛋白与冠状动脉病变支数呈正相关(P<0.05),低密度脂蛋白与颈动脉病变分级呈正相关(P<0.05);②与NCHD组比较,CHD组患者颈动脉内膜增厚率和斑块形成率增高(P<0.05);CHD组各亚组之间比较,多支病变组患者颈动脉斑块形成率、多发斑块发生率高于单支组和双支组(P均<0.05);③颈动脉粥样斑块中软斑和混合斑比例:CHD组的高于NCHD组的(P<0.05);CHD组中多支组高于单支组和双支组(P<0.05);④CAA S的冠状动脉病变积分(CSS)与CA S的颈动脉粥样硬化积分(A S)呈正相关(r=0.61,P<0.05)。结论:①高血压、低密度脂蛋白是动脉粥样硬化的危险因素;②冠状动脉粥样硬化和颈动脉粥样硬化密切相关;③CHD组患者颈动脉动脉硬化病变甚于NCHD组患者;而CHD多支病变组患者的又甚于单支病变组和双支病变组。     

颈总动脉内膜-中膜厚度及粥样斑块与冠心病的关系

目的:研究颈总动脉内膜-中膜厚度(CIMT)及粥样斑块检出率与冠心病发病及冠脉病变严重程度的关系。方法:114例具有至少一项冠心病危险因素的患者,按冠状动脉造影结果分为冠心病组(70例)和对照组(44例),测定所有病例的双侧CIMT、颈总动脉内径和颈总动脉粥样斑块情况。结果:两组间各项冠心病危险因素均无显著差异。超声结果显示,冠心病组CIMT、粥样斑块检出率均显著增高(P&lt;0.01),颈总动脉内径略增大,但差异不显著。CIMT≥0.8mm和检出粥样斑块为预测冠心病发病的独立指标(P&lt;0.01)。CIMT和粥样斑块检出率均与冠脉病变严重程度呈正相关,在控制了多项影响因素后,相关性仍显著。结论:CIMT增厚、粥样斑块检出为冠心病发病的独立预测因素,并且与冠脉病变严重程度正相关。     

腹主动脉瘤及外周血管病患者的颈动脉超声特征分析研究

目的:分析比较腹主动脉瘤及外周血管病患者的颈动脉超声特征,探讨动脉粥样硬化在腹主动脉瘤及外周血管病发病机制中的作用.方法:选取经计算机断层摄影血管造影术(CTA)检查确诊的腹主动脉瘤患者67例(腹主动脉瘤组),经数字减影血管造影术(DSA)及外周血管超声检查确诊的外周血管病患者86例(外周血管病组),同期正常体检人群46例(正常对照组),应用彩色多普勒超声检测入选者的颈动脉内一中膜厚度(IMT),观察颈动脉斑块数量及性质等,并将三组检测结果进行对比分析.结果:在腹主动脉瘤组和外周血管病组中,男性的颈动脉斑块发生率、颈动脉斑块总积分及平均颈动脉IMT值均显著高于女性(P<0.05);同性别内,外周血管病组的平均颈动脉IMT值、颈动脉斑块发生率、颈动脉斑块总积分均显著高于腹主动脉瘤组和正常对照组(P<0.001);经性别校正后,外周血管病组的平均颈动脉IMT值、颈动脉斑块发生率及颈动脉斑块总积分均高于腹主动脉瘤组及正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);而腹主动脉瘤组与正常对照组两者之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),外周血管病组合并冠心病例数及脑卒中的例数明显高于腹主动脉瘤组和正常对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001).结论:颈动脉超声可以反映全身动脉粥样硬化,本文通过颈动脉超声研究证明动脉粥样硬化是外周血管病的重要致病因素,动脉粥样硬化在腹主动脉瘤的形成中所起的作用极小.     

冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉斑块的评价

目的评价64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像检测冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉内斑块性质的价值。方法对86例冠心病患者(糖尿病组42例,非糖尿病组44例)行64层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像,评价其主要冠状动脉内斑块的性质。结果糖尿病组血管单支、三支病变支数明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.01),糖尿病组左主干、弥漫性病变明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05或P<0.01),重度狭窄病变明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05)。两组患者冠脉内共检测到182个斑块,糖尿病组斑块数目明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05);糖尿病组易损斑块明显多于非糖尿病组(P<0.05)。结论64层螺旋CT冠脉成像可有效检测冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠脉斑块性质,对冠心病患者的风险评估具有一定价值。     

心脑血管疾病患者阿司匹林抵抗的临床与实验研究

目的探讨心脑血管疾病患者阿司匹林抵抗(aspirin resistance,AR)的发生率、可能影响因素及其对预后的影响。方法采用光学法测定157例服用阿司匹林的心脑血管疾病患者的血小板聚集率,其中高血压76例、脑梗死56例、冠心病25例,将AR和阿司匹林半抵抗患者作为非阿司匹林敏感(aspirin sensitive,AS)组(59例),其余患者作为AS组(98例),并同时检测肝、肾功能、血脂、血糖等生化指标,分析该患者群中AR的发生、相关危险因素及预后。结果非AS组冠心病患者较AS组明显增多(P0.05)。糖尿病、高脂血症与AR发生相关(OR=4.438,OR=2.943,P0.01)。非AS组脑梗死和心肌梗死再发率明显高于AS组(15.05% vs 3.06%,P0.05;18.64% vs 7.14%,P0.01)。结论 AR对预后影响大,可使心脑血管事件再发风险显著升高,应及时调整药物剂量或者联合应用其他抗血小板药物。     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化之间的关系

目的 探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化之间的关系及无创性颈动脉超声检查在筛选冠心病高危人群中的价值.方法 将101例接受冠脉造影的患者,同时行颈动脉超声检查和血脂检测.根据冠脉造影结果分为冠心病组和对照组,分别检测双侧颈总动脉内-中膜厚度及斑块的形成情况,并与冠状动脉造影结果进行对比研究.结果 ①冠心病组甘油三酯明显高于对照组[(2.26±1.55)Vs(1.73±0.94) mmol/L,P＜0.05],而高密度脂蛋白明显降低[(1.65±0.54)vs(1.94±0.46) mmoL/L,P ＜0.05].②与对照组比较,冠心病组患者颈动脉内膜增厚率(71.1％)和斑块形成率(43.4％)增高,两组之间比较有统计学差异(P＜0.05).结论 甘油三酯增高及高密度脂蛋白降低为动脉粥样硬化的危险因素.冠状动脉粥样硬化病变程度和颈动脉粥样硬化病变程度密切相关.利用颈动脉超声检查可对冠心病的高危人群进行筛选,并且该无创技术与冠心病的危险因素相结合可提高对冠心病的预诊能力.     

冠状动脉病变与颈动脉斑块及C反应蛋白水平的关系

目的:探讨冠心病患者冠状动脉病变与颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)和斑块积分以及血浆C反应蛋白(CRP)水平的关系。方法:选择冠心病患者(83例,冠心病组)与非冠心病患者(37例,非冠心病组),对冠心病患者进行冠脉造影,根据冠脉病变血管数冠心病患者又被分为:单支病变组(28例)、双支病变组(31例)及三支病变组(24例)。检测各组患者C反应蛋白(CRP)水平,颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT),并对颈动脉粥样硬化斑块进行分级。结果:与非冠心病组比较,冠心病组患者CRP水平[(0.89±0.54)mg/L比(3.50±3.42)mg/L]、IMT[(0.65±0.27)mm比(1.04±0.31)mm]明显增加(P0.05或0.01);与单支病变组和双支病变组比较,三支病变组的CRP水平[(1.44±1.03)mg/L,(3.71±3.52)mg/L比(5.82±3.98)mg/L]显著升高,颈动脉斑块3级比例(0%、0%比25%)显著升高(P均0.01)。结论:冠心病患者C反应蛋白水平及颈动脉内膜中层厚度明显增加,且多支病变者C反应蛋白水平及颈动脉粥样硬化斑块3级比例明显增加。     

颈动脉彩色多普勒对老年冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的评估价值

目的 探讨颈动脉彩色多普勒对老年冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的评估价值。方法 颈动脉粥样硬化冠心病老年患者102例根据冠状动脉造影结果分为冠脉单支病变组71例、冠脉多支病变组31例。所有患者进行颈动脉彩色多普勒，评估颈动脉粥样硬化斑块性质、斑块面积、颈动脉内膜中层厚度、颈动脉狭窄程度、颈动脉血流参数。比较不同斑块性质、不同颈动脉狭窄程度患者的1年内不良预后情况。结果 冠脉多支病变组中不稳定型斑块率(64.52%)显著高于冠脉单支病变组(32.39%,P<0.05)。冠脉多支病变组颈动脉粥样硬化斑块面积、颈动脉分叉处和颈内动脉的内膜中层厚度均显著大于冠脉单支病变组(P<0.05)。冠脉单支病变组轻度狭窄占52.11%,中度狭窄占28.17%,重度狭窄占19.72%;冠脉多支病变组轻度狭窄占19.35%,中度狭窄占51.61%,重度狭窄占29.03%;两组差异显著(Z=9.683,P<0.05)。冠脉多支病变组颈动脉收缩期峰值流速(Vs)、阻力指数(RI)均显著大于冠脉单支病变组(P<0.05)。冠脉多支病变、不稳定型斑块、颈动脉重度狭窄患者1年内心肌梗死再发、短暂...     

Ultrasonic correlates of common carotid atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease

Increased intima-media thickness and plaque development in the extracranial carotid arteries reportedly correlate well with the prevalence of coronary artery diseases. The location of these atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid artery varies with age in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis. Intima-media thickness, plaque, and calcification in the common carotid artery and bifurcation were assessed with high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Forty patients with severe atherosclerosis of the coronary artery and 56 healthy control subjects with no risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis were included in this study. The subjects were divided into a middle-age group (40-59 yr) and an old-age group (60-79 yr). In both groups, the intimamedia thickness in the patients was significantly higher than that in the controls. Intima-media thickness of at least 0.7 mm in the middle-age group and at least 1.0 mm in the old-age group was specific and positively predictive of coronary artery disease. Plaque (> 1.0 mm) and calcification were more significant in patients than in controls. In the middle-age group, intimamedia thickness in the common carotid artery was correlated with coronary atherosclerotic severity. Conversely, in the old-age group, the presence of plaque and calcification at the bifurcation was correlated with coronary atherosclerotic severity. The characteristic manifestation of the atherosclerotic lesion in the carotid artery varied with age in patients with coronary artery disease.     

颈动脉多普勒超声与心绞痛患者冠状动脉病变的关系

目的采用彩色多普勒超声仪分析心绞痛患者颈动脉病变,探讨其在冠状动脉病变中的临床诊断价值。方法选择因心绞痛行冠状动脉造影的住院患者328例,根据冠状动脉造影结果分为4组:对照组(80例)、单支病变组(102例)、2支病变组(62例)和多支病变组(84例)。用彩色多普勒超声仪测量颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(intimamediathickness,IMT)及颈动脉分叉处IMT,记录颈动脉斑块的位置、数量。结果与对照组比较,2支病变组分叉处IMT和斑块积分明显增高,多支病变组颈总动脉IMT、分叉处IMT和斑块积分明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。与对照组比较,多支病变组颈总动脉IMT增厚比例明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);与单支病变组比较,多支病变组颈总动脉IMT增厚比例明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。糖尿病是冠状动脉病变的主要危险因素(OR=2.8,95% CI:1.18～6.63)。结论颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变有相关性,采用彩色多普勒超声分析颈动脉病变情况,对冠心病患者具有较好的筛查及预测价值。     

冠心病与颈动脉斑块及丙二醛化低密度脂蛋白的相关性研究

目的研究冠心病患者冠心病与颈动脉内-中膜厚度(CCA-IMT)、斑块指数及丙二醛化低密度脂蛋白(MDA-LDL)的相关性。方法收集冠状动脉造影的冠心病患者82例,根据斑块形态,冠心病患者分为3组,即Ⅰ型病变(表面光滑)组(n=31),Ⅱ型病变(表面不规则)组(n=a2)及Ⅲ型病变(长段不规则)组(n=19),冠状动脉造影正常的25例为对照组纳入研究。采用高频超声探测各组双侧颈动脉 IMT 和软斑指数,硬斑指数及总斑块指数,以及测定血浆 MDA-LDL 含量。结果 (1)冠心病各组(包括Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型病变组)CCA-IMT、软斑 PI、硬斑PI、总斑 PI 与对照组相比明显增高(均P<0.01);冠心病Ⅱ型病变组软斑 PI、总斑 PI 与Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型病变组相比明显增高(P<0.01);Ⅱ型病变组血浆 MDA-LDL 含量与Ⅰ型、Ⅲ型病变组及照组相比明显增高(P<0.01)。(2)Ⅱ型病变组 MDA-LDL 含量与软斑 PI、总斑 PI 呈正相关(r=0.63,P<0.01;r=0.51,P<0.05)。结论通过颈动脉超声检测,颈动脉斑块(特别是软斑)的检出,结合血浆 MDA-LDL 含量,可以初步预测冠心病患者冠状动脉斑块的不稳定。     

The role of ultrasonography of the peripheral arteries in diagnosing coronary artery disease

Atherosclerosis develops simultaneously in multiple arterial beds, that creates opportunity to diagnose of coronary artery disease. Aim of the study was the evaluation of association between atherosclerotic involvement of peripheral arteries assessed by ultrasound and significant coronary artery disease revealed by angiography. Study included 410 patients, (73% males), mean age 56.0 +/- 9.5 year scheduled for coronary angiography. During ultrasound examination of common carotid and common femoral arteries arterial wall intima-media (IMT) thickness and atherosclerotic plaques presence were assessed. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was diagnosed with coronary angiography as diameter stenosis > 50%. Intimo-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries did not differ between groups with and without significant coronary artery disease (right 6.6 vs 6.4 mm, p = ns, left 6.9 vs 6.6 mm, p = ns) but in common femoral arterial was greater in patients with coronary artery disease (right 8.2 vs 7.1 mm, p < 0.005, left 7.9 vs 7.1 mm, p = 0.03). Atherosclerotic plaques in carotid and femoral arteries was detected more often in CAD patients (90.1% vs 34.6%, p < 0.0001). Positive predictive value for CAD diagnosis with detection of plaque in carotid or femoral artery was 93% and negative prognostic value for exclusion CAD after plaque exclusion in all arteries was 61%. Search for atherosclerotic plaques in ultrasound examination of peripheral arteries may facilitate CAD diagnosis in selected patients groups.     

颈动脉粥样硬化及血流动力学变化与脑梗死的关系

目的应用双功能彩色多普勒超声观察脑梗死患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块和颈动脉各部位的血流动力学变化及其相互关系。方法经头颅CT和(或)MRI检查确诊的58例脑梗死患者(脑梗死组)及45例健康体检者(对照组),采用多普勒超声检测颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT),并同时检测颈总动脉及颈内动脉血流动力学指标。结果脑梗死组颈总动脉、颈内动脉及颈总动脉分叉部IMT均明显高于对照组(P<0.01);脑梗死组颈动脉粥样斑块检出率显著高于对照组(P<0.01);脑梗死组颈总动脉收缩期峰值流速、舒张末期流速及最大剪切率明显低于对照组,搏动指数、阻力指数高于对照组,脑梗死组颈内动脉舒张末期流速及最大剪切率明显低于对照组,阻力指数高于对照组;颈总动脉最大剪切率与颈总动脉IMT及颈总动脉分叉部IMT呈负相关,颈内动脉最大剪切率与颈内动脉IMT呈负相关。结论颈动脉IMT、斑块的部位和性质及血流动力学变化与脑梗死的发生密切相关。     

外周动脉粥样硬化性狭窄与无症状冠状动脉狭窄相关

目的回顾性分析外周动脉粥样硬化性狭窄与无症状冠状动脉狭窄的关系,为临床实践提供线索。方法根据狭窄部位,将74例患者分为颈内动脉狭窄组(7例)、锁骨下动脉狭窄组(29例)、肾动脉狭窄组(15例)、髂股动脉狭窄组(15例)和多处狭窄组(8例),并观察:(1)单处外周动脉狭窄与无症状冠状动脉狭窄的关系,(2)多处外周动脉狭窄与无症状冠状动脉狭窄的关系,(3)外周动脉狭窄与冠心病高危因素的关系。结果单纯颈内动脉狭窄组(57.1%)、锁骨下动脉狭窄组(51.7%)、肾动脉狭窄组(80.0%)或髂股动脉狭窄组(53.3%)中均有半数以上的患者合并冠状动脉狭窄,其中肾动脉狭窄组更为明显(P<0.05)。多处狭窄组全部8例合并冠状动脉狭窄。结论外周动脉粥样硬化性狭窄但没有冠心病临床表现的患者,可能应当常规行选择性冠状动脉造影,评估是否合并存在冠状动脉疾病。     

通心络胶囊联合辛伐他汀对颈动脉粥样斑块形成的干预作用研究

目的 观察通心络胶囊联合辛伐他汀对颈动脉粥样斑块形成的干预作用.方法 选择116例门诊颈动脉粥样斑块患者并随机分为3组.通心络胶囊组(39例)在常规治疗的基础上加通心络胶囊2粒,每日3次1辛伐他汀组(39例)在常规治疗基础上加辛伐他汀40 mg,每晚1次;联合治疗组(38例)在常规治疗基础上,应用通心络胶囊2粒,每日3次,辛伐他汀40 mg,每晚1次.患者均连续服药6个月,并均于服药前和服药后第6个月接受颈动脉超声检查,现察比较各组患者用药前后颈动脉粥样斑块的变化.结果 3组患者用药后颈动脉粥样硬化斑块明显减轻甚或消退.用药前后通心络胶囊组与辛伐他汀组之间无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但用药后与通心络胶囊组和辛伐他汀组相比,联合治疗组患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块减轻更明显(P＜0.05).各组均未见明显的不良反应.结论 通心络胶囊和辛伐他汀对颈动脉粥样硬化斑块有明显的抑制作用,两药联合效果更佳,且患者无明显的不良反应.     

2型糖尿病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与骨密度的相关性分析

目的探讨住院2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者不同性别骨量减少(包括骨质疏松与低骨量)相关影响因素及其与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块之间的关系。方法回顾性分析720例T2DM患者的临床资料,将入选对象分为男性组和女性组,每组再分为骨量正常组和骨量减少组,颈动脉有斑块组和颈动脉无斑块组。结果在男性骨量减少组(77例)中,存在粥样斑块68例(88.31%),与骨量正常组(164例)比较,骨量减少组粥样斑块的发生率明显升高(P0.05);斑块形成组骨密度(BMD)明显减低(P0.05)。在女性骨量减少组(255例)中,存在粥样斑块191例(74.90%),与骨量正常组(224例)比较,骨量减少组粥样斑块的发生率明显升高(P0.05);斑块形成组骨密度明显减低(P0.05)。二元Logistic回归分析显示,男性骨量减少的影响因素有年龄(OR=1.059,P=0.002),体质指数(BMI)(OR=0.853,P=0.004),空腹血糖(FBG)(OR=1.138,P=0.044),有无颈动脉斑块(OR=2.514,P=0.035)。女性骨量减少的影响因素有年龄(OR=1.117,P=0.000),绝经年龄(OR=0.946,P=0.031),BMI(OR=0.910,P=0.003)。结论 T2DM患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与骨量减少密切相关。女性患者由于增龄等共同危险因素的存在,二者常相伴发生,然而在男性患者中,颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成是骨质疏松的危险因素,因此,颈动脉硬化的发展常伴有骨量变化,易发生骨质疏松。     

Association of coronary atherosclerosis detected by multislice computed tomography and traditional risk-factor assessment

Framingham risk score is an office-based tool used for long-term coronary heart disease risk stratification. Most acute coronary events occur in association with proximal nonobstructive atherosclerotic plaque. Multislice computed tomography detects both obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and proximal atherosclerotic plaque with high accuracy. The association of Framingham risk score with obstructive CAD and proximal atherosclerotic plaque was tested. Coronary multislice computed tomography was performed in 295 patients (61% men, mean age 54 +/- 13 years) without documented CAD referred for evaluation of cardiac symptoms. Framingham risk score was computed and patients were stratified according to 10-year risk (n = 213 [72%] low, n = 74 [25%] intermediate, and n = 8 [3%] high). Obstructive CAD was defined as > or =50% stenosis in > or =1 epicardial coronary artery. Proximal atherosclerotic plaque was defined as calcified or noncalcified plaque in the left main or proximal left anterior descending artery. In the low- and intermediate-Framingham risk score groups, there was a high frequency of proximal atherosclerotic plaque (44% and 75%) and obstructive CAD (16% and 34%), although both findings were more prevalent in the high-Framingham risk score group (63% for atherosclerotic plaque, 88% for obstructive CAD), respectively. Proximal atherosclerotic plaque was noncalcified in approximately 13 of patients. In women (n = 114) and younger (<55 years) patients (n = 148), most (93% and 91%, respectively) had a low Framingham risk score. There were 48 women and 51 younger patients with proximal atherosclerotic plaque, of whom only 40% (in each group) were on statin therapy. In conclusion, of patients with a low and intermediate Framingham risk score, a significant proportion had proximal atherosclerotic plaque or obstructive CAD.