title: The SYNTAX score does not predict presence of carotid disease in a multivessel coronary disease population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous reports have shown the relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between complex CAD evaluated by SYNTAX score (SxScore) and prevalence of carotid lesion (CL) has not been fully investigated. We sought to assess the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with multivessel CAD assessed by SxScore and the relationship between SxScore severity and features of carotid atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects were 204 consecutive patients with multivessel CAD assessed by coronary angiography and no previous history of carotid atherosclerosis that underwent carotid ultrasound scan from June 2012 to 2013. Presence of CL, significant carotid disease (SCD) and carotid plaque morphology was evaluated. At least one CL was found in 159 patients (77.9%) with no significant difference among SxScore groups (P = 0.20 and P = 0.54, respectively). High prevalence of complex carotid plaque (CCP) was found without significant different distribution in SxScore groups (P = 0.69). Age was independently associated with the presence of CL [odds ratio (OR) 1.055; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.015-1.097; P = 0.007] and SCD (OR 1.057; 95% CI: 1.008-1.097; P = 0.019). Age and diabetes were independently associated with CCP (OR 1.58; 95% CI: 1.023-1.095; P = 0.001; OR 1.848; 95% CI: 1.026-3.327; P = 0.041). SxScore was not independently associated with CL, SCD and CCP (all P > 0.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found high prevalence of CL in patients with multivessel complex CAD. However, SxScore does not seem to correlate with carotid atherosclerosis.
authors: Division of Angiology, Cardiotoracovascular Department, Ferrarotto-Policlinic Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Costanzo
authors: Maria Barbara
authors: MB
authors: Campisano
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Capodanno
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Sole
authors: Carmelo
authors: C
authors: Grasso
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Ragusa
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Ronsivalle
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Tamburino
authors: Corrado
authors: C
authors: Tamburino
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Di Pino
mesh_terms: D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
keywords: SYNTAX score; carotid artery ultrasound; carotid lesion; coronary artery disease