title: Age-dependence of risk factors for carotid stenosis: an observational study among candidates for coronary arteriography.
abstract: In order to identify subjects at higher risk for carotid stenosis and to provide insights into mechanisms of disease development at different age-intervals, a color duplex ultrasound of extracranial arteries was performed in 624 consecutive patients (mean age 62.9+/-10.7, 483 males) undergoing coronary angiography. Significant carotid atherosclerosis (> or =50% stenosis) was documented in 87 patients (14%): the disease was moderate (50/69% stenosis) in 51 patients (8%), severe (> or =70% stenosis) in 36 patients (6%). Age (P<0.0001), smoking (P<0.0001), diabetes (P=0.0002), renal dysfunction (P=0.0119) and hypertension (P=0.0202) were independent predictors of significant carotid atherosclerosis; age (P=0.0001), smoking (P=0.0009) and diabetes (P=0.0201) were independent predictors of severe disease. Among 262 candidates for cardiac surgery, significant carotid artery disease was identified in 57 cases (2.63 Relative Risk, 95% Confidence Intervals: 1.32/5.24). Correlation and regression tree analysis demonstrated that diabetes was associated with greater severity of carotid stenosis in younger patients and hypertension in older ones. In conclusion age is the primary determinant of carotid artery disease; diabetes and smoking accelerate progression of atherosclerosis in younger patients, hypertension and smoking in older ones. Among patients undergoing coronary angiography, carotid ultrasonography should be recommended in high risk subgroups of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy. emosax@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zimarino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cappelletti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Venarucci
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarpignato
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Acciai
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Calafiore
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barsotti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caterina
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014463:Ultrasonography