老年患者颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉病变的相关性

目的　评价老年患者颈动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法　对 81例接受冠状动脉造影检查的老年患者进行颈动脉超声检测。结果　冠心病患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度 (IMT)值较对照组明显增大。随冠状动脉病变加重 ,斑块的严重程度增加 ,内膜中层厚度呈增厚趋势。颈总动脉IMT与改良Gensini评分呈正相关。结论　老年患者颈动脉与冠脉粥样硬化之间存在较密切的联系     

Isolated coronary artery ectasia debate: Inflammation versus atherosclerosis

BackgroundThe underlying pathogenesis of isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is still unknown. The aim of this study was to shed light on the potential mechanisms underlying the development of isolated CAE and its relation to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and certain inflammatory markers especially adhesion molecules and uric acid.MethodsThe study included 16 patients with isolated CAE, 16 patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) without CAE, and 10 gender and age matched subjects with normal coronary arteries as control group. All patients underwent diagnostic coronary angiography, B-mode ultrasonography to measure carotid IMT, and serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), E-selectin and uric acid.ResultsSerum ICAM-1 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with isolated CAE compared to CAD and control subjects (p = 0.0001). E-selectin levels showed no difference between the three groups, while serum uric acid was significantly higher in patients with isolated CAE and patients with obstructive CAD compared to control group (p = 0.004). There were no difference in carotid IMT between isolated CAE and CAD. Univariate analysis showed that the carotid IMT, serum levels of ICAM-1, E-selectin, and uric acid were related with CAE. ICAM-1 was the independent variable most strongly associated with CAE by multiple linear regression analysis (p = 0.0001).ConclusionIsolated CAE reflects atherosclerosis associated with high grade vascular inflammation out of proportion to, atherosclerotic involvement. Serum levels of ICAM-1 were the most independent predictor of vascular inflammation.     

Coronary and peripheral artery remodeling in patients undergoing PTCA: An intracoronary and transcutaneous ultrasound study.

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the plaque burden of nonstenotic coronary artery segments and the wall thickness of peripheral arteries using intracoronary and transcutaneous ultrasound imaging, respectively. Intracoronary ultrasound (CVIS, 3.5 Fr) was performed in 27 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Carotid arteries were imaged by B-mode ultrasound with semiautomatic edge detection and radial arteries by high resolution A-mode echotracking (NIUS 2). Quantitative measurements included coronary artery intima-media cross-sectional area (IM(CSA)) and cross-sectional narrowing (CSN), as well as intima-media thickness (IMT) and lumen radius (r) of the common carotid and the radial arteries. Intima-media thickness was increased in coronary, carotid, and radial arteries. Coronary arteries had an IM(CSA) of 7.7 +/- 2.5 mm(2) and a CSN of 24% +/- 8%. Despite this moderate plaque burden, lumen area was preserved (12.3 +/- 4.2 mm(2)) because of compensatory enlargement of coronary arteries. Right and left carotid and right radial arteries had an IMT of 575 +/- 78 microm, 570 +/- 129 microm, and 328 +/- 61 microm, respectively. There was no correlation between coronary IM(CSA) and carotid IMT (r = 0.07) or radial IMT (r = 0.02), and there was no correlation between coronary CSN and carotid IMT/r (r = 0.12), or radial IMT/r (r = 0.25). In conclusion, in these patients with symptomatic ischemic disease no relationship between IMT of the coronary arteries and IMT of carotid or radial arteries was found. Although increasingly popular, IMT of peripheral arteries may be of limited value as surrogate marker for the severity of coronary artery disease. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:12-17, 1999.     

Plasma homocysteine levels in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia

OBJECTIVE: Hyperhomocysteinemia is recognized as an independent risk factor for arterial disease including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease. Previously, an association between increased plasma homocysteine level and peripheral arterial aneurysms has been reported. However, the relationship between coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and plasma homocysteine level has not been investigated. Accordingly, this study was designed to investigate plasma homocysteine level in patients with isolated CAE. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with isolated CAE without significant stenosis and 30 control subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries were included in this study. Fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay method using homocysteine kids. Hyperhomocysteinemia is defined as plasma homocysteine levels above the 95th percentile of the control subjects (13.6 mumol/l). RESULTS: According to the definition of hyperhomocysteinemia, 19 (59%) of patients with isolated CAE had elevated levels of plasma homocysteine compared to 2 (7%) in the control subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries (p<0.001). In addition, patients with isolated CAE had significantly higher levels of plasma homocysteine compared to control subjects (14.9+/-4.5 micromol/l vs. 8.6+/-1.9 micromol/l respectively, p<0.001). Besides, we detected a significant positive correlation between the number of ectasic segment and plasma homocysteine level (r=0.537, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: We have shown for the first time an association between elevated plasma homocysteine level and isolated CAE. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in CAE and to evaluate the usefulness of homocysteine-lowering therapies.     

Carotid intima-media thickness is correlated with impairment of coronary flow reserve in hypertensive patients without coronary artery disease.

Hypertensive individuals occasionally experience angina-like chest pain despite having angiographically normal coronary arteries, and the etiology of this phenomenon has been suggested to be associated with depressed coronary flow reserve (CFR). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) assessed by ultrasound is correlated with not only cerebrovascular disease but also coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The aim of our study was to investigate the association between CFR and carotid IMT in patients with essential hypertension. We performed transthoracic Doppler recording of diastolic coronary flow velocity in the left anterior descending coronary artery at baseline and after maximal vasodilation by adenosine triphosphate infusion in 24 normotensive subjects and 125 hypertensive patients. CFR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic to basal averaged peak coronary flow velocity. Common cardiovascular risk factors, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), and carotid IMT were evaluated. The CFR of hypertensive patients (2.55 +/- 0.52) was significantly decreased compared with that of normotensive subjects (3.15 +/- 0.45). CFR showed a significant correlation with age, systolic blood pressure, RWT, and carotid IMT. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that, among carotid IMT, LVMI and RWT, only carotid IMT was a strong and independent parameter for predicting CFR in hypertensive patients. In conclusion, B-mode ultrasound scanning of the carotid artery seemed to be of clinical value in the screening of patients with LVH and impaired microcoronary circulation. These associations may explain the links between cardiac and cerebrovascular involvements in patients with hypertension.     

Echolucent carotid plaques as a feature in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Carotid arterial ultrasound examination may be helpful for screening populations at high risk for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), so the present study was designed to identify the carotid arterial characteristics of patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Carotid ultrasound examinations were performed in 172 patients with ACS, 166 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), and 96 control subjects. Common carotid arterial structures were assessed by the intima - media thickness (IMT), interadventitial diameter (IAD), lumen diameter (LD), the IMT to LD ratio (IMT/LD), and the plaque burden based on the plaque score. Plaque morphology was assessed by the echogenecity based on the gray-scale median (GSM). IMT, IAD, IMT/LD, and plaque score did not differ between the ACS and stable CAD groups. The GSM in the ACS group was lower (47.5+/-25.3, p<0.001) than in the control (70.1+/-22.5) and stable CAD (73.7+/-23.4) groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of carotid echolucent plaques (GSM 相似文献   

Carotid and femoral atherosclerotic lesions in patients with coronary heart disease confirmed by angiography

INTRODUCTION: Clinically evident atherosclerosis is preceded by preclinical changes in the arterial wall. These changes are characterised by increased thickness of the intima-media complex (IMT). AIMS: A complex ultrasound assessment of the peripheral vessels as well as an attempt to find ultrasound parameters correlating with the burden of atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries. METHODS: 231 patients who underwent both coronary angiography and ultrasound examination of the following arteries: common carotid artery (CCA), carotid bulb and common femoral artery (CFA) were enrolled. The IMT value, presence of plaque and Doppler blood flow parameters were evaluated. Selected clinical and biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis were assessed. Two groups of patients were analysed: 200 patients with coronary artery disease confirmed by angiography (study group), and 31 patients with normal coronary arteries (control group). RESULTS: Significantly higher values of the IMT in the peripheral arteries were observed in patients with coronary artery lesions than in those without (CCA - 0.91 vs 0.61 mm, carotid bulb -- 1.31 vs 0.67 mm, CFA -- 1.38 vs 0.63 respectively, p<0.0001). Atherosclerotic plaques were present only in patients with coronary artery disease. Additionally, IMT values of the CCA, carotid bulb and CFA were significantly higher in patients with severe coronary artery disease (three vessel disease) than in patients with lesions in one or two coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with coronary lesions present with increased IMT values and higher plaque occurrence. Complex ultrasound evaluation of different peripheral arteries (CCA, carotid bulb and CFA) may be used as part of the cardiovascular risk stratification.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病关系的研究

目的:研究颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的关系。方法:对301例冠状动脉造影的患者作双侧颈动脉超声检查,根据冠脉造影结果分为正常组及冠心病组,冠心病组根据冠状动脉病变支数再分为一支病变组,二支病变组,三支病变组3个亚组。测量颈总动脉后壁内中膜厚度(IMT),斑块厚度,计算斑块积分及粥样斑块发生率。结果:(1)冠心病组IMT,斑块积分及斑块发生率明显高于正常对照组(P<0.01)。(2)随冠脉病变支数增加,斑块积分及IMT增加,亚组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01)。(3)以IMT>0.85mm和(或)出现粥样斑块预测冠心病,特异性75.3％,敏感性84.6％,阳性预测率88.4％。结论:通过颈动脉超声检查可为冠心病的诊断提供依据。     

颈动脉内中膜厚度及斑块与冠心病的相关性

目的探讨颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)及斑块与冠状动脉造影(CAG)结果的相关性,了解IMT在预测冠心病方面的价值。方法研究对象116名经CAG分为冠心病组和非冠心病组,超声观察颈动脉IMT及有无斑块形成并与CAG结果比较。结果非冠心病组与冠心病组比较患者颈动脉IMT、斑块指数均存在显著性差异(P<0．01),颈动脉IMT与冠状动脉狭窄程度呈正相关(r= 0．634,P<0．01)。颈动脉IMT对冠心病诊断有较高的敏感性及特异性。结论颈动脉超声可能是冠心病诊断的一项重要的辅助检查手段。     

颈动脉超声在诊断冠心病合并2型糖尿病中的应用价值

目的探讨颈动脉超声在冠心病合并2型糖尿病中的应用价值。方法将研究对象分为合并2型糖尿病和不合并2型糖尿病的冠心病组，超声观察颈动脉血流参数、内中膜厚度（IMT）及斑块指数（PI），并与冠状动脉造影结果对照。结果与单纯冠心病患者相比，合并2型糖尿病的冠心病患者颈动脉内径和血管阻力指数均增加（P〈0.05），IMT及PI随冠状动脉造影病变程度的增加而显著增加（P〈0．05）。结论颈动脉超声可以间接判断冠心病合并2型糖尿病患者冠状动脉血管病变的严重程度，可作为诊断合并2型糖尿病的冠心病的一项辅助检查方法。     

冠心病血管内皮功能、颈动脉硬化与冠脉病变的关系

目的：观察冠心病（CAD）患者内皮依赖性舒张功能及颈动脉粥样硬化的状况及与冠状动脉病变的相关性。方法：选经冠状动脉造影确诊为CAD的患者106例（观察组），冠状动脉造影证实无冠状动脉狭窄的健康者40例（正常对照组），采用二维超声检测肱动脉内皮依赖性和非依赖性舒张功能及颈动脉粥样硬化病变。颈动脉粥样硬化斑块积分采用Sutton法，并与冠状动脉病变程度进行对比分析。结果：CAD组内皮依赖性血管舒缩功能（FMD）比正常对照组明显降低（P〈0．01），内皮非依赖性血管舒缩功能与正常对照组比较无显著性差异（P〉0．05）；CAD组颈动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT），斑块积分显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）。FMD与冠脉病变程度呈负相关（r=-0．651，P〈0．001），颈动脉IMI及斑块积分与冠脉病变程度呈正相关（r=0．871，0．702，P〈0．001）。结论：内皮细胞功能障碍和颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化的病变相平行。     

Lack of significant association between intima-media thickness in the carotid artery and serum TSH level. The Troms? Study.

BACKGROUND: Increased arterial wall intima-media thickness (IMT) is an early feature of atherosclerosis and has been reported to be altered in patients with thyroid dysfunction. The present study was performed to examine the relation between carotid artery intima-media thickness and possible variations in thyroid function in normal subjects using serum TSH as a surrogate index of thyroid function. DESIGN: A total of 2034 subjects (974 males) were studied, 1856 or whom were non-users of thyroxine. The subjects not taking thyroxine were classified into three groups, those with a low serum TSH (0.48 mIU/L (2.5 percentile, those with serum TSH from 0.48 to 4.16 mIU/L, and those with high serum TSH of >4.16 mIU/L (97.5 percentile). Carotid ultrasound was performed in each all 2034 subjects to determine IMT. RESULTS: Among those not taking thyroxine, subjects in the low serum TSH group had a higher mean IMT as compared to those in the normal and high serum TSH groups but the differences were not significant when adjusted for gender, age, smoking status, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and serum cholesterol (0.88 +/- 0.15 mm, 0.84 +/- 0.16 mm, and 0.84 +/- 0.24 mm respectively). Subjects taking thyroxine had significantly higher IMT than those not taking thyroxine (0.89 + 0.20 mm versus 0.84 + 0.17 mm, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: No significant relationship between carotid IMT and serum TSH levels was observed in normal, non thyroxine taking, subjects. Carotid IMT was increased in subjects taking thyroxine. Whether the increase in carotid IMT is due to thyroxine ingestion or underlying thyroid disease cannot be answered from the study.     

Interrelation between the extent of atherosclerosis in the thoracic aorta, carotid intima-media thickness and the extent of coronary artery disease

Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta have been shown to correlate with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study compares the relation between wall changes in the thoracic aorta and the carotid arteries and the angiographic severity and extent of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries in patients with verified CAD. Atherosclerotic wall changes in the carotid arteries and the thoracic aorta were measured by B-mode ultrasonography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), respectively, in 37 subjects aged 65+/-10 years with angiographically verified CAD. The mean value of the common carotid IMT of the right and left sides was 0.87+/-0.21 mm. All subjects had carotid plaques. TEE detected grades II-IV atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta in 32 of the 37 (86%) patients. A significant correlation was seen between the extent of coronary artery stenosis and aortic plaques score (r=0.46, p=0.008). Mean carotid IMT was also significantly correlated with coronary artery stenosis extent score (r=0.44, p=0.007). Moreover, a significant correlation was seen between the aortic plaque score and the mean carotid IMT (r=0.39, p=0.02). In conclusion, we found a clear and significant relationship between wall changes in the thoracic aorta, common carotid IMT and the angiographic extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with severe CAD. These findings indicate a potential of B-mode ultrasonography of the carotid arteries and transesophageal echocardiographic aortic examination in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients with suspected CAD.     

颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病关系的探讨

目的:研究颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病的关系.方法: 超声检查205例冠心病(冠心病组)和41例风湿性心脏病或其它体检患者(非冠心病组)的颈动脉,测量血管的直径、内-中膜的厚度(intima-media thickness, IMT),血流的速度等参数,观察斑块的有无及形成情况,了解颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病以及非冠心病患者的关系.结果:确诊冠心病的患者205例中颈动脉超声有病变者195例,占 95.12%.其中冠状动脉三支病变者97例中颈动脉有病变者96例,达98.97%.41例非冠心病患者中颈动脉有病变者 11例,占26.83%,颈动脉无病变者30例,占73.17%.结论:冠心病和颈动脉粥样硬化存在着明显的相关性,颈动脉超声诊断技术对诊断冠心病有重要意义.     

Plasma soluble adhesion molecules; intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin levels in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia

Plasma soluble adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin leves of patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE), patients with obstructive coronary artery disease without CAE and subjects with angiographically normal coronary arteries were evaluated. Patients with isolated CAE were detected to have significantly higher levels of plasma soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin in comparison with patients with obstructive coronary artery disease without CAE (ICAM, 673 +/- 153 versus 381 +/- 106, respectively, P < 0.001; VCAM-1, 2366 +/- 925 versus 1136 +/- 208, respectively, P < 0.001; E-selectin, 74 +/- 21 versus 61 +/- 18, respectively, P = 0.01) and subjects with normal coronary arteries (ICAM-1, 673 +/- 153 versus 303 +/- 131, respectively, P < 0.001; VCAM-1, 2366 +/- 925 versus 729 +/- 231, respectively, P < 0.001; E-selectin, 74 +/- 21 versus 49 +/- 9, respectively, P < 0.001), suggesting the presence of a more severe and extensive chronic inflammation in the coronary circulation in patients with isolated CAE. BACKGROUND: The common coexistence of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) with coronary artery disease (CAD) suggests that it may be a variant of CAD. However, it is not clear why some patients with obstructive CAD develop CAE whereas most do not. Inflammation has been reported to be a major contributing factor to both obstructive and aneurysmatic vascular disorders and therefore, in the present study, the plasma soluble adhesion molecules, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin levels in isolated CAE were investigated. METHODS: The study population consisted of three groups: the first consisted of 32 patients with isolated CAE without stenotic lesion; the second of 32 patients with obstructive CAD without CAE; and the third group of 30 control subjects with normal coronary arteries. Coronary diameters were measured as the maximum diameter of the ectasic segment by use of a computerized quantitative coronary angiography analysis system. According to the angiographic definition used in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study, a vessel is considered to be ectasic when its diameter is > or =1.5 times that of the adjacent normal segment in segmental ectasia. Plasma soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin levels were measured in all patients and control subjects using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Patients with isolated CAE were found to have significantly higher levels of plasma soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin in comparison with patients with obstructive CAD without CAE (ICAM, 673 +/- 153 versus 381 +/- 106, respectively; P < 0.001; VCAM-1, 2366 +/- 925 versus 1136 +/- 208, respectively; P < 0.001; E-selectin, 74 +/- 21 versus 61+/-18, respectively; P = 0.01) and control subjects with normal coronary arteries (ICAM-1, 673 +/- 153 versus 303 +/- 131, respectively;, P < 0.001; VCAM-1, 2366 +/- 925 versus 729 +/- 231, respectively; P < 0.001; E-selectin, 74 +/- 21 versus 49 +/- 9, respectively; P < 0.001). In addition, we detected statistically significant positive correlation between the total length of ectasic segments and the levels of plasma soluble ICAM-1 (r = 0.625; P < 0.001), VCAM-1 (r = 0.548; P = 0.001) and E-selectin (r = 0.390; P = 0.027). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant independent relation between isolated CAE and ICAM-1 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.023; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0048-1.0414; P = 0.0129] and VCAM-1 (OR = 1.0057; 95% CI = 1.0007-1.0106; P = 0.0240). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that patients with isolated CAE have raised levels of plasma soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin in comparison with patients with obstructive CAD without CAE and control subjects with normal coronary arteries, suggesting the presence of a more severe and extensive chronic inflammation in the coronary circulation in these patients.     

颈动脉窦粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化程度相关

目的:探讨颈动脉粥样硬化与冠心病程度的关系。方法:对285例可疑冠心病患者行冠脉造影检查,以B型超声仪检查颈动脉内中膜厚度(IM T)。用冠脉病变支数表示冠心病程度。采静脉血检查血脂水平。结果:颈动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化有共同的危险因子,如增龄、肥胖、血脂异常。比较各组IM T差别发现,颈动脉窦的F值最大(左,右分别为65.64%,63.24%)。颈动脉窦粥样硬化对诊断冠心病的阳性预告值最大(左、右颈动脉窦分别为89.9%,88.8%)。结论:颈动脉窦IM T与冠心病程度明显相关。颈动脉窦IM T可以作为筛选冠心病的指标。     

原发性高血压患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度与左室肥厚的相关性

目的:探讨原发性高血压(EH)患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)与左室肥厚的相关性。方法:对60例EH患者(EH组)和20例健康者(对照组)行心脏及颈动脉超声检查,分别测量左室质量指数(LVMI)、颈动脉IMT及斑块。结果:与对照组相比,EH组颈动脉IMT、LVMI、斑块检出率均明显增高(P<0.05),EH组LVMI增高者的以上指标又均高于LVMI正常者(P<0.05);LVMI与颈动脉IMT呈正相关。结论:EH患者颈动脉IMT增加,与左室肥厚密切相关。     

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.     

二维超声检测冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化病变

对103例经选择性冠状动脉造影的患者作双侧颈动脉超声检查，探讨了颈动脉超声检查的方法学以及颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的好发部位和超声分型，发现颈动脉粥样硬化斑块好发于颈动脉分叉处，以左侧多见，且多为扁平斑；颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉粥样硬化之间有着密切的相关关系，冠状动脉病变支数越多，其颈动脉粥样硬化斑块积分也越高，不同冠状动脉病变组之间有非常显著的差异（P＜0．001）。     

Common carotid intima-media thickness is correlated with myocardial flow reserve in patients with coronary artery disease: a useful non-invasive indicator of coronary atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND: The common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is correlated with the angiographically determined coronary artery stenosis. However, their correlation is weak, which limits the clinical application of the IMT as a predictor of coronary artery stenosis. The IMT reflects diffuse early-phase atherosclerosis, whereas the angiographically determined coronary artery stenosis is a late-phase phenomenon. The latter is localized and rapidly progressive with plaque rupture and acute thrombosis. Instead of the angiographically determined coronary artery stenosis, we employed myocardial flow reserve (MFR) that reflects diffuse early-phase coronary atherosclerosis and impaired coronary vasodilatation function. We evaluated the relationship between the IMT and the MFR. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent B-mode ultrasound examination to measure their common carotid IMT and positron emission tomography (PET) with dipyridamole intervention to obtain their MFR. We also performed B-mode ultrasound examination in 21 patients with hypertension without CAD and in 15 control subjects. RESULTS: The common carotid IMT in patients with CAD was thickened (0.92+/-0.15 vs. 0.81+/-0.14 mm in patients with hypertension (P<0.05) and 0.69+/-0.13 mm in control subjects (P<0.01)). The IMT was inversely correlated with the MFR (r=0.51, P<0.01). The correlations between the MFR and most of the coronary risk factors (age, blood pressure, serum cholesterol level and triglyceride level, HbA1c level, smoking index) did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Thickened common carotid IMT is also an indicator of reduced MFR or early-phase coronary atherosclerosis.