Advanced carotid stenosis in TIA and minor stroke as a predictor of coronary heart disease: a 3-year follow-up.
Eighty-six patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or minor stroke from the carotid artery territory, examined in the extracranial carotid arteries by duplex ultrasound, were prospectively followed for 3 years to find out whether a higher degree of carotid stenosis in these patients might predict mortality and morbidity in myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty-three of these (38%) had carotid stenosis greater than or equal to 50% on one or both sides. In these patients, 36% (12/33) suffered MI during follow-up compared to 7% (4/53) in the patients with lesser degree of stenosis. 75% (12/16) of the MI's were fatal. The total mortality in MI was 30% (10/33) in patients having a stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, in TIA-patients it was 24% (12/51) and in patients with TIA + greater than or equal to 50% stenosis it was 36% (10/28). It is suggested that the presence of high degree stenosis in the carotid arteries might predict mortality and morbidity in MI among TIA and minor stroke subjects.
Falke
P
P
Department of Medicine, Malmö General Hospital, University of Lund, Sweden.
Stavenow
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography