Effects of intensive medical therapy on microemboli and cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of more intensive medical therapy on the rate of transcranial Doppler (TCD) microemboli and cardiovascular events in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS).


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
A teaching hospital.


METHODS
Four hundred sixty-eight patients with ACS greater than 60% by Doppler peak velocity.


METHODS
We compared (1) the proportion of ACS patients who had microemboli on TCD, (2) cardiovascular events, (3) rate of carotid plaque progression, and (4) baseline medical therapy, before and since 2003.


RESULTS
Among 468 ACS patients, 199 were enrolled between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2002; and 269 were enrolled between January 1, 2003, and July 30, 2007. Microemboli were present in 12.6% before 2003 and 3.7% since 2003 (P < .001). The decline in microemboli coincided with better control of plasma lipids and slower progression of carotid total plaque area. Since 2003, there have been significantly fewer cardiovascular events among patients with ACS: 17.6% had stroke, death, myocardial infarction, or carotid endarterectomy for symptoms before 2003, vs 5.6% since 2003 (P < .001). The rate of carotid plaque progression in the first year of follow-up has declined from 69 mm(2) (SD, 96 mm(2)) to 23 mm(2) (SD, 86 mm(2)) (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiovascular events and microemboli on TCD have markedly declined with more intensive medical therapy. Less than 5% of patients with ACS now stand to benefit from revascularization; patients with ACS should receive intensive medical therapy and should only be considered for revascularization if they have microemboli on TCD.
Spence
J David
JD
Stroke Prevention and Atherosclerosis Research Centre, 1400 Western Road, London, Ontario, Canada. dspence@robarts.ca
Coates
Victoria
V
Li
Hector
H
Tamayo
Arturo
A
Muñoz
Claudio
C
Hackam
Daniel G
DG
DiCicco
Maria
M
DesRoches
Janine
J
Bogiatzi
Chrysi
C
Klein
Jonathan
J
Madrenas
Joaquim
J
Hegele
Robert A
RA
D000368:Aged; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay / Q000379:methods
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids