Does carotid intima media thickness indicate coronary atherosclerosis?

Increased carotid intima media thickness (IMT) is relatively simple, inexpensive, and reproducible noninvasive marker of global atherosclerotic disease. It is a frequently used experimental tool in epidemiologic studies to identify and follow cardiovascular disease. There is evidence that early detection of atherosclerotic disease processes and subsequent therapeutic interventions significantly alter the natural course of the disease. Several large prospective studies have evaluated the usefulness of ultrasonographic measurement of IMT and have demonstrated its role in predicting future cardiovascular events. This article will focus on the relation between carotid artery IMT and coronary heart disease, and its utility and limitations in predicting cardiovascular events.