[Atheromatous extra-coronary injury in patients with coronary disease: Result of a cross-sectional centre study carried out in the east of Algeria].

INTRODUCTION

Patients with coronary heart disease often suffer from damage in another vessel which has, in some cases, no clinical signs. These combined conditions are important to be diagnosed in order to treat the patients thoroughly.

AIM

To estimate the frequency of other peripheral atheromatous injuries especially carotid artery disease, Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and Peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with coronary disease which were enrolled in the cardiology department of the university hospital of Constantine, Algeria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This descriptive cross-sectional monocentre study was carried out in the cardiovascular exploration unit in the university hospital of Constantine, Algeria. Enrolled patients had at least one significative coronary injury≥50 in one of the major coronary arteries. All of the patients have had an ultrasound examination (supra-aortic trunks doppler, aorta and inferior limbs doppler). Data were processed and analysed using SPSS 22 software.

RESULTS

The frequency of the association PAD with CAD was 34.7% which accounts for the highest frequency. Haemodynamic carotid injury (≥50%) and AAA were respectively associated with CAD in 12% and 4.6% of the cases. The triple associations CAD with AAA and Haemodynamic carotid injury was observed in 2.67% of the cases while CAD with PAD and carotid artery stenosis (≥50%) in 6.67% of the cases. The frequency of the association CAD with PAD and AAA was estimated at 3.66%.

CONCLUSION

Coronary artery disease goes often hand in hand with other heart conditions, which should be systematically considered in patients with CAD. Clinical examination along with recommended non-invasive imaging techniques can help improve the medical assessment of patients with CAD. Only with these means, thorough personalised and cost-beneficial medical care can be obtained.