Relationship of carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, and ankle brachial index to the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and the ankle brachial index (ABI) are widely used noninvasive modalities for evaluating atherosclerosis. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of carotid IMT, PWV, and ABI with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), expressed as the Gensini score, and the presence of coronary risk factors. METHODS: We examined 205 consecutive patients (mean age 65 +/- 12 years) who were clinically suspected of having CAD and were scheduled to undergo coronary angiography. Carotid intima-media thickness, brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV), and ABI were measured in all subjects before they underwent coronary angiography. RESULTS: Of the 205 patients, 124 patients were diagnosed as having CAD based on the presence of >50% stenosis in a major coronary artery; the remaining 81 patients did not have CAD. A relatively good correlation was obtained between carotid IMT and the Gensini score (R = 0.411, p < 0.0001), whereas baPWV correlated only weakly with the Gensini score (R = 0.203, p = 0.0035), and ABI did not correlate with it. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the Gensini score correlated significantly and independently with age, male gender, and carotid IMT. CONCLUSIONS: Of the three noninvasive methods, carotid IMT may be more useful for determining coronary artery atherosclerosis than baPWV or ABI.     

无创性动脉硬化检测技术对冠心病早期诊断价值的评估

目的：探讨无创性动脉硬化指标颈动脉内中膜厚度（IMT）、踝臂指数（ABI）、脉搏波传导速度（PWV）与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度的相关性以及对冠心病的早期预测价值. 方法：随机选择我院进行冠状动脉造影的133例可疑冠心病患者,进行IMT、ABI、PWV检测.用Gensini积分评价冠状动脉病变程度,采用线性相关系数分析Gensini积分与IMT、ABI和PWV的相关性,观察这些无创性动脉硬化指标对冠心病的早期预测价值. 结果：（1） IMT与Gensini积分明显相关（P=0.000）,IMT数值越大Gensini积分越高;ABI和PWV与Gensini积分无相关性.（2）绘制IMT、ABI和PWV预测冠心病的ROC曲线,IMT的曲线下面积为0.815,预测冠心病的灵敏度为62.7％,特异度为92.9％;ABI和PWV对冠心病的预测价值不显著. 结论：无创性动脉硬化指标IMT与冠状动脉粥样硬化的严重程度有明显的相关性,对冠心病有较好的早期预测价值,而ABI和PWV对冠心病无明显早期预测价值.     

Carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with and without coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity are non-invasive markers of atherosclerosis and have been shown to reliably predict presence and extent of atherosclerotic vascular disease. However, studies examining their association with each other have shown inconsistent results. Hence it was sought to assess correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity in patients with and without coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-four patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease and 84 age-matched individuals without coronary artery disease but having one or more conventional cardiovascular risk factors were included in the study. Individuals with established cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease were excluded from the study. Carotid intima-media thickness of far wall was measured at three predefined sites (distal common carotid, carotid bifurcation and proximal internal carotid artery) on each side. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was measured non-invasively using VP 1000 (Colin Corporation) automated ABI/ PWV analyzer. There was no significant difference in gender and presence of cardiovascular risk factors in the two groups. Mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were all significantly higher in coronary artery disease patients as compared to patients without coronary artery disease (0.842 v. ( 0.657 mm, p <0.0001; 1.076 v. 0.795 mm, p <0.0001; 1708.63 v. 1547.26 cm/s, p <0.0004 respectively). There was a significant correlation between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and both mean and maximum carotid intima-media thickness in patients with coronary artery disease (r = 0.47, p <0.0001 and r=0.41, p < 0.0008 respectively) but not in individuals without coronary artery disease (r=0.01 and -0.1 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of significant correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with coronary artery disease but absence of the same in individuals without major atherosclerotic vascular disease suggests that the correlation between carotid intima-media thickness and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity becomes stronger with increasing extent of atherosclerosis.     

Prognostic implications of intima-media thickness and plaques in the carotid and femoral arteries in patients with stable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonographic assessments of intima-media thickness and plaques in the carotid artery are widely used as surrogate markers for coronary atherosclerosis, but prospective evaluations are scarce and appear to be lacking in patients with coronary artery disease. Ultrasonographic evaluations of femoral vascular changes have not been studied prospectively. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Angina Prognosis Study in Stockholm (APSIS), 809 patients with stable angina pectoris were studied prospectively during double-blind treatment with verapamil or metoprolol. Ultrasonographic assessments of intima-media thickness, lumen diameter and plaques in the carotid and femoral arteries were evaluated in a subgroup of 558 patients (182 females) with a mean age of 60 +/-7 years, and related to the risk of cardiovascular death (n = 18) or non-fatal myocardial infarction (n = 26), or revascularization (n = 70) during follow-up (median 3.0 years). Univariate Cox regression analyses showed that carotid intima-media thickness and plaques were related to the risk of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction. Femoral intima-media thickness was related to cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction, as well as to revascularization, whereas femoral plaques were only related to the latter. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, previous cardiovascular disease and lipid status, carotid intima-media thickness failed to predict any cardiovascular event, whereas carotid plaques tended (P = 0.056) to predict the risk of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction. Femoral intima-media thickness (P < 0.01) and plaques (P < 0.05) were also related to the risk of revascularization after adjustments. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid and femoral vascular changes were differently related to cardiovascular events. Carotid intima-media thickness was a weak predictor of events, whereas femoral intima-media thickness predicted revascularization. Plaques in the carotid artery were related to cardiovascular death or non-fatal myocardial infarction, whereas plaques in the femoral artery were related to revascularization. Evaluations of plaques provided better prediction than assessments of intima-media thickness in patients with stable angina.     

Arterial wave reflection is associated with severity of extracoronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Arterial wave reflection is a major determinant of left ventricular function, coronary perfusion and cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether arterial wave reflection may detect atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries in patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Radial artery applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis was performed in 184 patients with documented CAD at coronary angiography; central blood pressures and augmentation index (AI) were measured. Ankle-brachial (ABI) index and intima-media thickness (IMT) were used as indices of atherosclerosis of the lower limbs and the carotid arteries respectively. RESULTS: Patients with abnormal IMT (> 0.7 mm, first tertile) or ABI (< 0.94, first tertile) had higher AI than patients with lower IMT or higher ABI (24 +/- 17 versus 17 +/- 16% and 23 +/- 18 versus 18 +/- 13%, respectively, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, increasing AI was associated with age, female gender, heart rate, mean blood pressure, hyperlipidaemia, and use of statins (regression coefficient (beta) = 0.50, beta = 0.15, beta = -0.60, beta = 0.23, beta = 0.16 and beta = -0.14, respectively, P < 0.05). Increasing AI was associated with an adjusted-odds ratio of 1.035 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.005-1.066], P = 0.02 for an abnormal IMT and of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.024-1.146), P = 0.005 for ABI after adjustment for age, gender, heart rate, height, blood pressure, atherosclerotic risk factors, obesity and medication. No relation was found between AI and Gensini score or for the number of diseased coronary vessels. CONCLUSION: Augmentation index is a marker of extensive extracoronary atherosclerosis in patients with CAD.     

臂踝指数和颈动脉内膜中层厚度对绝经后女性冠心病的评价价值

目的探讨臂踝指数(ABI)和颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)对绝经后女性冠心病的评价价值及绝经后女性发生冠心病的相关危险因素。方法选择疑诊冠心病的绝经后女性患者187例,根据冠状动脉造影结果分为非冠心病组66例和冠心病组121例;冠心病组又分为单支病变组40例、双支病变组40例、多支病变组41例。通过Gensini积分系统评价冠状动脉病变程度。检测各组患者ABI、IMT及相关指标,并进行比较。结果与非冠心病组比较,冠心病组IMT明显增厚,ABI明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。随着冠状动脉病变程度加重,ABI明显降低,IMT及斑块检出率也明显增高。logistic回归分析显示,ABI降低(≤0.9)、IMT增厚(≥0.9 mm)是绝经后女性冠状动脉病变的独立预测因素,便秘为独立危险因素。其他危险因素:年龄、糖尿病、高血压、高胆固醇血症、高尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白升高等可以增加绝经后女性患冠心病的风险。结论 ABI及IMT可以作为绝经后女性冠状动脉病变的无创性预测指标。便秘可作为绝经后女性冠心病的独立危险因素。     

Atherosclerotic changes of extracoronary arteries are associated with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between carotid and femoral artery intima media thickness (IMT) and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as the effects of traditional vascular risk factors on the atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and femoral arteries. Two hundred twenty-four patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspected CAD were evaluated by B-mode ultrasound imaging of the common carotid, internal carotid, carotid bifurcation, and femoral artery for measurement of IMT; traditional vascular risk factors were also evaluated in these patients. CAD extent was evaluated by the number of diseased vessels and by Gensini score. Age, male gender, and diabetes were common risk factors for higher CAD extent and higher carotid and femoral IMT. Insulin levels were correlated with femoral IMT and CAD extent, whereas blood lipids were correlated predominantly with carotid IMT. IMT from carotid and femoral arteries increased significantly with an increase in CAD extent. Using multiple stepwise regression analysis, the following parameters were found to be independent predictors of CAD extent: male gender (p<0.0001), common femoral artery IMT (p = 0.0028), common carotid artery IMT (p = 0.015), age (p = 0.02), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.035), and carotid artery bulb IMT (p = 0.04). Common femoral IMT was the only independent parameter for predicting Gensini score (p<0.0001). In conclusion, there are territorial differences in the various arterial beds regarding their response to risk factors. Femoral artery and carotid bulb are independent predictors of CAD extent and the inclusion of these measurements would add information to that provided by the common carotid artery.     

Association of subclinical wall changes of carotid, femoral, and popliteal arteries with obstructive coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of occult atherosclerosis of carotid, femoral, and popliteal arteries with the presence and severity of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients without a history or presence of cerebrovascular or peripheral arterial disease using ultrasound examination of peripheral arteries. PATIENTS/METHODS: One hundred eighty-four such individuals underwent routine coronary angiography. Obstructive CAD was found in 103 cases, which comprised the patient group. The remaining 81 individuals comprised the control group. All were blindly examined by duplex ultrasonography in order to assess occult atherosclerosis, as indicated by the estimation of intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (IMTC), intima-media thickness of the femoral artery (IMTF), intima-media thickness of the popliteal artery (IMTP), and ultrasonic biopsy (UB) of the carotid and femoral arteries. For the individuals with positive coronary angiography findings, the severity of CAD was estimated by the number of the diseased vessels. RESULTS: IMTC, IMTF, IMTP, and UB showed significant correlation with the presence of obstructive CAD, but only IMTC and IMTF were independent predictive factors, with specificity of 74% and 60% and sensitivity of 76% and 70%, respectively. Additionally, our analysis yielded a regression model that, for a given value of IMTC and IMTF, may estimate the probability of CAD: p (CAD) = e((- 4.765 + 3.36 IMTC + 1.91 IMTF))/1 + e((- 4.765 + 13.36 IMTC + 1.91 IMTF)). Patients with one-vessel disease had significantly lower IMTC (p < 0.001) and UB (p = 0.011) and lower IMTF (p = 0.057) than those with three-vessel disease. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of occult atherosclerosis by duplex ultrasonography in both the carotid and the femoral arteries is significantly associated with the presence and severity of CAD.     

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Brachial Artery Flow-Mediated Dilatation in Patients with and without Metabolic Syndrome

BACKGROUND, Metabolic syndrome has recently emerged as a marker of future cardiovascular risk. However its incremental value for this purpose, over conventional cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes mellitus in particular, is debated. The present study was conducted to determine the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with metabolic syndrome, and compare it with the same in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors not having metabolic syndrome. METHODS, A total of 156 individuals seeking outpatient cardiac consultation for various indications were included in the study and were divided into four groups - group 1: cardiovascular risk factors present but not metabolic syndrome (n = 60) : group 2 : metabolic syndrome without diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease (n = 21) ;group 3: metabolic syndrome with diabetes mellitus without coronary artery disease ( n = 27) ;and group 4:patients with documented coronary artery disease (n = 48). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) criteria. All patients underwent assessment of carotid intima-media thickness and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation. RESULTS, Both carotid intima-media thickness and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation were similar in groups 1 and 2 (carotid intima-media thickness: 0.687 -/+ 0.13mm and 0.706 -/+0.23mm, p = 0.963; brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation: 11.80 -/+ 5.16% and 12.87 -/+ 7.04%, respectively, p =0.883) , but group 3 patients had significantly higher carotid intima-media thickness (0.774 +/- 0.15mm, p = 0.047) and significantly lower brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (7.37 -/+ 6.12%, p -/+ 0.007) as compared to group 1 patients. There was no significant difference in the two parameters between groups 3 and 4 (carotid intima-media thickness in group 4:0.789 -/+ 0.16mm,p = 0.976 and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation:5.86 -/+ 3.85%, p -/+ 0.709). CONCLUSIONS, In absence of diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome was not associated with greater extent of subclinical atherosclerosis compared to individual cardiovascular risk factors. Presence of diabetes mellitus, however, resulted in significant endothelial dysfunction and evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis, similar to that seen in patients with already established coronary artery disease.     

Carotid intima-media thickness as predictor of secondary events after coronary angioplasty.

AIM: Subjects with symptomatic or asymptomatic peripheral arterial or cerebro-vascular disease have an increased risk of death or cardiovascular event. The aim of this study was to determine whether intima-media thickening of the common carotid artery and/or a low ankle brachial index (ABI) are related with an increased risk of cardio-vascular event after percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA). METHODS: One hundred and thirteen consecutive, patients (88 males, 25 females, mean age: 62 years) undergoing PTCA were included. Intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and ABI were measured within the 2 days following the PTCA. Subjects were followed up for 10.2 +/- 4 months. The end-point was a composite criterion associating death, non fatal acute myocardial infarction, recurrence or worsening of angina pectoris, hospitalisation for heart failure, new positive exercise stress testing. RESULTS: In the follow-up study a common carotid IMT >0.7 mm was a predictor of event (p=0.03) in the univariate analysis. The other risk factors were unstable angina (p=0.001) and PTCA on the left descending coronary artery (p<0.05). We did not find any relation between the end-point and ABI or presence of atheroma on the common femoral artery. In the logistic regression analysis unstable angina was associated with a 3.14 fold increased risk (IC 95%: 1.51-6.4, p=0.002), subjects without HMG-CoA inhibitors drugs at the inclusion had also an increased risk of 2.5 (IC 95%:1.09-5.75, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study suggest that CCA-IMT is associated with an increased risk of cardiac events after PTCA. The measurement of subclinical disease could be useful for identifying high-risk patients.     

老年人外周动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的相关性

目的 探讨老年人外周动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的相关性. 方法 选择拟行冠状动脉造影的老年住院患者152例,年龄62～91岁.于冠状动脉造影前1周内行颈动脉和股动脉超声检查.分别测量颈动脉和股动脉内膜-中膜厚度(IMT)、斑块总面积及颈动脉斑块总积分,并判断颈动脉粥样硬化分型,冠心病病变的程度和范围以冠状动脉病变支数及Gensini积分表示. 结果颈动脉IMT、斑块发生率、斑块总面积及斑块总积分在冠心病单支病变组(16例)分别为(0.93±0.10)mm、61.3%、(0.58±0.11)mm~2及(3.82±2.11)分;双支病变组(41例)分别为(0.92±0.14)mm、72.5%、(1.57±0.37)mm~2及(4.59±3.39)分;3支病变组(72例)分别为(0.95±0.11)mm、87.3%、(1.88±0.15)mm~2及(6.67±5.90)分;非冠心病组(23例)分别为(0.81±0.13)mm、42.7%、(0.28±0.69)mm~2及(1.83±1.65)分.股动脉IMT、斑块发生率及斑块总面积在冠心病单支病变组分别为(0.97±0.11)mm、38.3%及(0.24±0.26)mm~2;双支病变组分别为(1.07±0.15)mm、57.9%及(0.51±0.21)mm~2;3支病变组分别为(1.15±0.14)mm、59.5%及(0.59±0.23)mm~2;非冠心病组分别为(0.90±0.13)mm、26.8%及(0.20±0.17)mm~2.冠心病各组上述各项指标高于非冠心病组(均P<0.05),其中双支病变组和3支病变组颈动脉斑块总面积、股动脉斑块总面积及股动脉IMT高于单支病变组(均P<0.05),3支病变组颈动脉斑块总积分高于单支病变组和双支病变组(均P<0.05).相关分析结果表明.颈动脉粥样硬化分型、斑块总积分及面积与冠脉病变支数间呈正相关(r分别为0.282、0.307及0.494,均P<0.01);颈动脉粥样硬化斑块面积与Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.472,P<0.01).股动脉IMT、斑块总面积与冠脉病变支数呈正相关(r分别为0.415及0.692,均P<0.01),与Gensini积分亦呈正相关(r分别为0.404、0.648,均P<0.01).颈动脉斑块总面积(OR=2.2;95%CI 0.79～2.46)、股动脉斑块总面积(OR=1.6;95%CI 0.28～1.35)及股动脉IMT(OR=1.6;95% CI 1.20～15.10)是冠状动脉Gensini积分的独立预测因子. 结论 超声检查结果评价老年人外周动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的严重程度相关.     

Subclinical atherosclerosis, airflow obstruction and emphysema: the MESA Lung Study

Airflow obstruction is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in the general population. The affected vascular bed and contribution of emphysema to cardiovascular risk are unclear. We examined whether an obstructive pattern of spirometry and quantitatively defined emphysema were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in the carotid, peripheral and coronary circulations. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis recruited participants aged 45-84 yrs without clinical cardiovascular disease. Spirometry, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) were measured using standard protocols. Percentage of emphysema-like lung was measured in the lung windows of cardiac computed tomography scans among 3,642 participants. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for cardiac risk factors, including C-reactive protein. Decrements in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and FEV(1)/forced vital capacity ratio were associated with greater internal carotid IMT, particularly among smokers (p=0.03 and p<0.001, respectively) whereas percentage emphysema was associated with reduced ABI regardless of smoking history (p=0.004). CAC was associated with neither lung function (prevalence ratio for the presence of CAC in severe airflow obstruction 0.99, 95% CI 0.91-1.07) nor percentage emphysema. An obstructive pattern of spirometry and emphysema were associated distinctly and independently with subclinical atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries and peripheral circulation, respectively, and were not independently related to CAC.     

Ability of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and myocardial/carotid ultrasound to predict the location and the severity of coronary artery lesions in normotensive patients: a clinical study.

Pulse pressure has been recognized as a marker of cardiovascular disease in normotensives. Moreover, internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) has been proposed to reflect coronary artery lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the predictive value of other parameters derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), myocardial ultrasound, and carotid ultrasound to predict the location and the severity of coronary artery disease in normotensives. One hundred and thirteen patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent coronary angiography, 24-h ABPM and myocardial/carotid ultrasound. Multivariate analysis was applied and equations were extrapolated based on independent variables derived from ABPM and ultrasound. The Gensini score was independently correlated with male gender, pulse pressure, average heart rate for both 24-h (p=0.001) and night (p=0.006) values, as well as percentage of high systolic blood pressure (BP), average diastolic BP, average mean BP, and heart rate concerning daily mesurements (p=0.001). Moreover, the Gensini score was independently correlated with end-systolic volume, posterior wall thickness during systole and intraventricular septum thickness during diastole, along with male gender and age (p=0.001), as well as mean internal and right common carotid artery IMT (p=0.002). Similar mathematical formulas have been calculated separately for the coronary arteries and their main branches. In conclusion, the location and the severity of coronary disease can be effectively evaluated by ABPM and myocardial/carotid ultrasound in normotensives. This approach could be useful for determining atypical patients at risk and/or for treating patients with suspected coronary disease who refuse coronary angiography.     

颈动脉内-中膜厚度和肱动脉血流介导的舒张功能与冠心病的关系

目的探讨颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率、颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMTc)及肱动脉血流介导的舒张功能(FMD)与冠心病的关系。方法应用高分辨率超声检测112例患者的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块、IMTc,同时检测肱动脉FMD,据造影结果将患者分为冠心病组79例与对照组33例,对冠状动脉病变程度进行Gensi-ni评分。结果冠心病组与对照组比较,颈动脉粥样硬化斑块发生率、FMD及IMTc差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。直线相关分析表明,FMD与冠状动脉病变Gensini积分呈负相关,(r=-0.362,P<0.01),IMTc与冠状动脉病变Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.296,P<0.01)。结论联合应用无创高分辨率超声检测颈动脉粥样硬化斑块、IMTc及FMD可间接反映冠心病发生的可能性以及预测冠状动脉病变程度,而且方法简单、无创,为早期诊断冠心病提供了一种安全可靠的手段。     

心血管危险因素对颈动脉粥样硬化的影响及超声评价的意义

越来越多的研究表明心血管危险因素导致了颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)增厚;超声检测到的颈动脉粥样硬化与冠脉造影所示的冠状动脉粥样硬化严重程度明显相关。目前颈动脉IMT可作为反映动脉粥样硬化的指标。由于颈动脉超声检查无创、准确、简便、重复性好,可用于对新发现的或已确定的危险因素进行综合评价,也可用于通过临床对高危因素干预后,动态观察动脉粥样硬化的进展及消退,还对冠心病高危人群发生心血管事件的预测具有重要意义。     

超声检测股动脉、腹主动脉及颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化的相关性

目的:探讨股动脉、腹主动脉及颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法: 采用高频超声测量109例行冠状动脉造影术后1周的患者股动脉、腹主动脉及颈动脉的内-中膜厚度（IMT）、斑块积分及斑块数目。结果: 股动脉、腹主动脉及颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化呈正相关（P<0.01、P<0.05）;股动脉斑块预测冠状动脉粥样硬化的灵敏度为89%,特异度为77%,准确度84%;腹主动脉斑块预测冠状动脉粥样硬化的灵敏度为73%,特异度为72%,准确度72%;颈动脉斑块预测冠状动脉粥样硬化的灵敏度为83%,特异度为79%,准确度82%。结论: 超声检查股动脉、腹主动脉及颈动脉IMT及斑块可间接预测不同程度的冠状动脉粥样硬化;股动脉的灵敏度与准确度较腹主动脉更好。     

踝臂指数、颈动脉内中膜厚度对冠状动脉硬化早期预测价值

目的探讨踝臂指数（ABI）与颈动脉内中膜厚度（IMT）的相关性及其对冠心病的预测价值。方法随机选择150例行冠脉造影检查的患者行ABI、IMT测定,调查其年龄、性别、高血压史、糖尿病病史、吸烟史以及身高、体重,计算体重指数,并测量血压,化验血糖、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL—C）和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL—C）等指标。用SYNTAX积分评价冠状动脉的病变程度,分析在不同病变程度下ABI和IMT之间的相关性。分别用ABI和IMT预测冠心病,并比较两者诊断的可靠程度。结果①以SYNTAX评分判定,ABI除冠脉正常组和轻病变组间差异无统计学意义（p=O．126）外,其余各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,冠状动脉病变越严重,ABI越低。IMT除中、重病变组间差异无统计学意义（P=0．055）外,余各冠状动脉组问差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,冠状动脉病变越严重,IMT值越大。②以SYNTAX积分为协变量,计算ABI与IMT的偏相关系数,两者为负相关（r=一0．499,P=0．000）。SYNTAX积分为分组变量情况下分析ABI和IMT的相关性,显示在冠脉有病变的情况下两者呈负相关。③分别作ABI、IMT预测冠心病的ROC曲线,ABI=0．95,预测冠心病的灵敏度为85．2％,特异度为75．3％;IMT=1．51mm,预测冠心病的灵敏度为77．4％,特异度为64．4％。结论ABI、IMT与冠状动脉硬化程度密切相关,冠脉病变患者ABI越低则IMT越厚。ABI和IMT两种检测方法均对冠状动脉病变程度的评估具有价值,且二者协同互补,可以改善无创检查的敏感性及特异性。ABI和IMT作为非侵入性检测,对筛查无症状冠心病患者及评估冠心病严重程度具有重要意义。     

Nocturnal oxygen desaturation correlates with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease

STUDY OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease, and may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between nocturnal oxygen desaturation (NOD) due to SDB and the Gensini score, which is given to define the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, based on coronary angiograms findings, in patients with coronary artery disease. DESIGN: We examined the NOD index (ODI) (desaturation of > 3%/events per hour) using pulse oximetry in 59 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (ejection fraction, > 40%) that was diagnosed by coronary angiography, 30 patients with angina pectoris and 29 patients with old myocardial infarction. The Gensini score was calculated for each patient from the coronary arteriogram. The patients were classified into the following three groups according to the severity of oxygen desaturation: ODI of < 5 events per hour (group N; 16 patients); ODI of > or = 5 but < 15 events per hour (group A; 27 patients); and ODI of > or = 15 events per hour (group B; 16 patients). The groups then were examined for the relation between the ODI and the Gensini score. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients, 72.9% had a nocturnal ODI of more than five events per hour. The Gensini score was significantly higher in groups A and B than in group N, and showed a significant positive correlation with the ODI (R = 0.45; p = 0.01) in all patients. Multiple regression analysis showed that the ODI was the most significant, independent determinant of the Gensini score among the coronary risk factors tested, and that it explained 13.4% of the variance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that NOD due to SDB may be an important contributor to coronary atherosclerosis in the patients with cardiovascular disease.     

Role of carotid intima-media thickness in assessment of atherosclerosis: an autopsy study

BACKGROUND: The non-invasive technique of measuring carotid artery intima-media thickness has generated considerable interest as a marker of atherosclerosis, particularly in predicting clinical coronary events and coronary artery disease. In the present study, a postmortem comparative analysis of intima-media thickness of carotid artery with coronary artery atherosclerosis has been carried out. To date no such morphological tissue studies are available from our country. METHODS AND RESULTS: Right and left common carotid arteries with their branches were removed at postmortem in 40 cases with history of diabetes, hypertension or both. Intima-media thickness was measured and compared with coronary artery atherosclerosis. There were 10 control postmortem cases without history of diabetes or hypertension. Common carotid artery and internal carotid artery intima-media thickness were found to be good predictors of coronary events. There was also significant correlation (by Pearson's correlation formula) between the carotid artery intima-media thickness and the percentage of block in the coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Internal carotid artery along with common carotid artery intima-media thickness measurement is a good predictor of coronary artery disease. However, carotid artery intima-media thickness has no bearing on the status of collateral circulation of the coronary arteries.     

Assessment of aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis in coronary artery disease

The present study investigated the relationship between aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis, and studied the effects of coronary risk factors for these arteries. The subjects consisted of 78 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 69 patients without CAD. All subjects underwent enhanced computed tomography and B-mode ultrasonography within a short time period to determine the extent of aorta and carotid atherosclerosis. Significant correlations between maximal aortic wall thickness (MAWT) and aortic wall volume (AWV) with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were demonstrated. MAWT, AWV and IMT were significantly higher in patients with CAD compared with controls (p=0.009, p=0.024, p=0.001, respectively). Furthermore, there were significant differences in MAWT, AWV and IMT among groups classified by the number of coronary artery stenoses, and no significant differences among groups classified by risk factors, but it was shown that MAWT, AWV and IMT increased gradually as the risk factors increased in number. MAWT, AWV and IMT had positive correlations with age, systolic blood pressure and triglyceride, and a negative correlation with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. This study demonstrated that both aortic atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis are closely correlated with coronary atherosclerosis, and that the atherosclerosis indices are independently associated with age and hyperlipidemia.