Prediction of coronary artery disease by B-mode sonography

Although coronary angiography is gold standard for diagnosis of coronary artery disease, it is nevertheless an invasive and potentially hazardous procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of carotid and femoral artery Intima-Media Thickness [IMT] for detection of coronary artery disease. The present study comprised 100 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography due to symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Ultrasound assessment of common carotid and common femoral artery were performed with an ultrasound device equipped with a high-resolution transducer. IMT was measured in the common carotid and common femoral artery [10 mm proximal to the deep femoral artery origin]. There were 25 cases in each of single [S], double [D] and triple [T] vessel disease and 25 in significant left main diseases groups of patients. In regard to common carotid artery IMT was 0.78 mm in S, 0.84 mm in D, 0.97 mm in T and 1.05 mm in left main disease groups. There was a significant correlation between IMT measured in the carotid artery and severity of coronary artery disease [P = 0.0001]. With respect to common femoral artery IMT was 0.66 mm in S group, 0.73 mm in D group, 0.84 mm in T groups and 0.85 mm in patients with left main disease.. There is a significant correlation between IMT [measured in the common femoral artery] and severity of coronary artery disease [P = 0.0001]. Our results indicated that early atherosclerosis in both carotid and femoral arteries were highly predictive of coronary involvement and IMT being associated with the number of coronary vessels disorder