title: Prevalence and outcome of asymptomatic carotid stenosis: a population-based ultrasonographic study.
abstract: The aims of this epidemiological population-based cohort study were to examine the prevalence and outcomes of asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) detected by duplex scanning and its relations to other vascular risk factors. A total of 500 volunteers, 200 men and 300 women, without signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease, aged 50-79 years, were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of ACS of 50% or greater was 6.4%. Only severe carotid stenosis was detected in 0.4% of the subjects examined. Significant relationships between ACS and coronary heart disease (CHD) [odds ratio (OR)=8.00], peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (OR=3.66), cigarette smoking in men (OR=4.39) and obesity in women (OR=0.31) were found. The biennial incidence rate of cerebral ischaemic events was 9.4%. A progression of ACS was revealed in 14% and a regression in 6.25% of the subjects. The patients with progressing ACS to more than 70% diameter reduction reached the end-points. Follow-up with repeated duplex scans in patients with advancing ACS of 50% or greater, especially smokers with CHD and PAD, is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Thracian University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mineva
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Manchev
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Hadjiev
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002031:Bulgaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014505:Urban Population