title: Carotid intima media thickness and coronary atherosclerosis linkage in symptomatic intermediate risk patients evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing evidence that carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and it should be used as a predictor of atherosclerotic burden of coronary arteries. However, these studies have been performed by using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and in high-risk patients for CAD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between CIMT by ultrasound and coronary atherosclerosis in symptomatic intermediate risk patients by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 204 consecutive symptomatic patients (mean age: 61±10; men: 118) and intermediate risk for CAD. All patients underwent CIMT ultrasound evaluation and CCTA. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS), characteristics of plaques, severity of CAD, segment involvement score (SIS) and Gensini's score were assessed and compared with CIMT values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CIMT has been proved as an independent predictor of a number of coronary artery plaques, overall number of mixed and remodeled plaques, presence of obstructive CAD, high SIS and Gensini's score (HR 1.2, CI 1.05-1.42, p 0.01; HR 1.2, CI 1.01-1.41, p 0.03; HR 9.0, CI 1.37-59.7, p 0.02; HR 21.0, CI 2.40-184, p<0.01; HR 1.2, CI 1.08-1.42, p<0.01; HR 1.2, CI 1.08-1.42, p<0.01, respectively). A cut-off value>1.3 was associated with a better positive and negative predictive value (100% and 69%) to predict the combined endpoint of presence and mixed and/or remodeled coronary artery plaques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CIMT is an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic burden as detected by CCTA in symptomatic intermediate risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy. Electronic address: andrea.guaricci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrea Igoren
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Guaricci
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Radiology Unit, Division Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Monastier di Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arcadi
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Natale Daniele
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Radiology Unit, Division Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Monastier di Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Deodata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montrone
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cocco
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, DIBIMEF, University Hospital "P. Giaccone", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midiri
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Radiology Unit, Division Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Monastier di Treviso, Italy; Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cademartiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Macarini
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University of Foggia, "Ospedali Riuniti" Hospital, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Biase
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pontone
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Carotid intima media thickness; Coronary artery disease; Coronary atherosclerosis; Coronary computed tomography angiography