title: Asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis screening in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis: a prospective study.
abstract: Eighty-nine male veterans presenting to a vascular surgery clinic with symptomatic lower extremity atherosclerosis were prospectively screened by duplex scan for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS). Their chief complaint was: claudication (90%), rest pain (6%), and ischemic ulcer or gangrene (4%). The mean ankle-brachial index (ABI) was 0.77. Twenty-five CAS > 50% were detected in 18 (20%) patients. Twelve CAS > 75% were detected in 11 (12%) patients. There was no difference between patients with and without CAS > 50% with regards to mean ABI, history of angina, diabetes, hypertension, prior coronary artery bypass, or history of smoking. Carotid bruit was associated with ipsilateral CAS > 50% [p < 0.0001, sensitivity (52%), specificity (88%), positive predictive value (41%), negative predictive value (92%)]. As a result of the screening, eight elective carotid endarterectomies have been performed to date in six (7%) patients with one transient twelfth cranial nerve paresis as the only postoperative complication. We conclude that: (1) male patients presenting with symptomatic lower extremity atherosclerosis have a 20% prevalence of asymptomatic CAS > 50%, (2) there is no correlation between the degree of lower extremity ischemia and CAS > 50%, (3) carotid bruit is significantly associated with CAS > 50%, but has a low sensitivity, and (4) routine CAS screening should be considered for all male patients with symptomatic lower extremity atherosclerosis regardless of whether a bruit is present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center, California, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Virgilio
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toosie
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arnell
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Donayre
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melany
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex