Abstract:

Objective To explore the characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis and investigate its relationship with coronary atherosclerosis in elderly patients with chest pain. Methods One hundred and ninety-nine patients with chest pain underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and carotid ultrasonography, and were classified into acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group (n=95), stable angina pectoris (SAP) group (n=63) and non-coronary artery disease group (n=41) according to CAG findings. The carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and carotid artery plaques scores were compared among groups, ACS related factors were analysed, and the relationship between carotid atherosclerosis and coronary atherosclerosis was explored. Results Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of ACS in the elderly was related to diabetes mellitus, cIMT and carotid artery plaques scores (P<0.05). Non-condition multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that cIMT and carotid artery plaques scores had significant regression effects on ACS in the elderly (P<0.05). There were significant differences among the results of cIMT, carotid artery plaque scores and CAG (P<0.05). Carotid artery plaque scores were significantly related to coronary artery scores (r=0.75, P=0.000). Conclusion Carotid atherosclerosis is significantly related to coronary atherosclerosis. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis can be predicted by carotid ultrasonography.

Key words: elderly, chest pain, carotid ultrasound, coronary angiography