[Structural and functional changes of coronary and carotid arteries in patients with ischemic heart disease].

AIM

To assess prevalence of atherosclerotic changes in coronary arteries by computed tomography (CT) and carotid arteries by ultrasound duplex scanning (UDS) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD); to analyse viscoelastic properties of the walls of the common carotid arteries and their correlation with the results of carotid artery UDS and coronary artery CT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CT and UDS were made in 100 patients with clinically and coronarographycally verified diagnosis of IHD.

RESULTS

Calcinates in coronary arteries were found in 96% patients. The mean coronary calcium index (MCCI) was 544.8 +/- 718.5 units (from 0 to 3954 units). Atherosclerotic affection of carotid arteries was registered in 89% patients. Mean thickness of intima-media complex (IMT) of the common carotid arteries was 0.96 +/- 0.02 mm (0.60 mm - 1.87 mm). A correlation was found between coronary MCCI and IMT of the common carotid arteries. The stepwide regression analysis determined such predictors of coronary calcinosis as increased value of IMT of the common carotid arteries and atherosclerotic plaques (ASP) in carotid arteries. Viscoelasticity of the walls of the common carotid arteries in IHD patients differ from that of healthy subjects. This demonstrates stiffness of arterial wall in patients with IHD. There is a correlation between these parameters and IMT of the common carotid arteries.

CONCLUSION

Combination of UDS with CT in diagnosis of atherosclerotic lesions of different arteries provides more complete information about structural-functional changes in patients with IHD. Such non-invasive tests as measurement of IMT of common carotid arteries and detection of ASP in carotid arteries by UDS, determination of coronary MCCI may serve screening parameters in diagnosis of coronary atherosclerosis.