Ultrasound Carotid Plaque Score and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease Assessed by Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Arterial Hypertension
Andrzej Wysocki,
Michał Fułek,
Piotr Macek,
Monika Michałek-Zrąbkowska,
Krzysztof Kraik,
Małgorzata Poręba,
Katarzyna Fułek,
Helena Martynowicz,
Grzegorz Mazur,
Paweł Gać,
Rafał Poręba
Affiliations
Andrzej Wysocki
Centre for Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, 50-981 Wroclaw, Poland
Michał Fułek
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Piotr Macek
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Monika Michałek-Zrąbkowska
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Krzysztof Kraik
Students’ Scientific Organization, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Małgorzata Poręba
Department of Paralympic Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Witelona 25a, 51-617 Wroclaw, Poland
Katarzyna Fułek
Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Helena Martynowicz
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Grzegorz Mazur
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Paweł Gać
Centre for Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, 50-981 Wroclaw, Poland
Rafał Poręba
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 213 Borowska St., 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the presence of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries detected by ultrasound and the occurrence of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries determined by computed tomography (CT) in patients with arterial hypertension (HTA). A total of 83 patients with HTA were qualified for the study (age: 71.3 ± 8.5 years). All subjects underwent carotid arteries ultrasound and coronary arteries CT. The carotid plaque score was assessed using ultrasound. The studied group was divided into two subgroups: a subgroup with the carotid plaque score ≤ 1 (A) and a subgroup with carotid plaque score ≥2 (B). Coronary arteries CT assessed coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and degree of coronary stenosis based on CAD-RADS. In subgroup B, a significantly higher CACS (411.3 ± 70.1 vs. 93.5 ± 31.8) and significantly higher grade in the CAD-RADS classification were demonstrated than in subgroup A (CAD-RADS ≥ 3: 21.8 vs. 6.0%). The regression analysis showed that carotid plaque score and age are independent risk factors for the severity of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries. In summary, ultrasound assessment of the carotid plaque score in patients with HTA could be considered as surrogate indicator of the risk and severity of atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries, but further studies are necessary to corroborate these results.
