KUMJ | VOL. 21 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 82 | APRIL - JUNE, 2023
Carotid Plaque Burden in Patient who Underwent Coronary Angiogram at Dhulikhel Hospital
Humagain S, Pathak SR, Koju R
Abstract: Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death worldwide and is primarily
caused by atherosclerosis. Carotid plaque and coronary artery disease share a
common pathogenesis and risk factor. Carotid arteries are accessible through noninvasive
imaging
method.
By
characterizing
the
carotid
arteries,
it
becomes
possible
to
estimate the total burden of atherosclerosis, including that of coronary artery
disease. According European Society of Cardiology (ESC) ultrasound of the carotid
arteries should be considered, and be performed to detect plaque in patients with
suspected chronic coronary syndrome.
Objective
To establish a relationship between coronary artery disease and carotid plaque.
Method
It is a cross sectional analytical study. Patients who underwent coronary angiogram
at Dhulikhel Hospital from 1
st
April 2022 till 31
st
March 2023 were assessed for carotid
plaque using carotid ultrasound. Chi square test was done to find the relationship
between presence of carotid plaque and coronary artery stenosis of more than 50%.
Positive predictive value and negative predictive value was calculated.
Result
Total number patient was 254 and the mean age was 61± 4.7 years. Out of which
85(33.5) had normal coronary artery, 143(56.3) had ≥ 50% stenosis and 120 (47.2)
had ≥ 70% stenosis. Eight patients also had significant left main disease with ≥ 50
% stenosis. Carotid plaque was present in 121(47.6) patients. Out of 143 patients
who had ≥ 50% stenosis in coronary angiogram, 104(72.7) patients also had carotid
plaque which is statistically significant as p < 0.05. Positive predictive value (PPV) was
72.7% and negative predictive value was 84.7%.
Conclusion
This study establishes a relationship between coronary artery disease and carotid
plaque, suggesting that the presence of carotid plaque may serve as an indicator of
underlying coronary artery disease.
Keyword : Atherosclerosis, Carotid plaque, Coronary artery disease, Stenosis
