Patterns of the association among ultrasound, hemodynamic and biochemical parameters of atherosclerosis of the carotid and coronary arteries in patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract

An increase in the proportion of comorbid cardiac patients with primary nosologies such as arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis actualizes the search for optimal approaches to their diagnosis and treatment. The emerging pathogenetic mechanisms of concomitant diseases must be taken into account on an individual basis. Aim of the study was to investigate the patterns of atherosclerotic changes in carotid arteries in patients with coronary heart disease who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and their correlation with biochemical and hemodynamic markers of atherosclerosis. Material and methods. 53 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were examined and treated in the clinic of the Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine. The average age of the patients was 64.73 ± 1.66 years. A comprehensive clinical laboratory examination was conducted, including the blood lipids test to measure content of total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, as well as serum markers of systemic inflammation (concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)) and carotid artery duplex scan. Results. A direct correlation between the severity of atherosclerotic changes in the carotid arteries and indicators of systemic inflammation, i.e. CRP, ESR and fibrinogen was found. The study also revealed greater severity of atherosclerotic stenosis of the carotid arteries in patients with coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with coronary artery stenting compared to patients without any intervention. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate the effectiveness of ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries for the early diagnosis of multifocal atherosclerosis for timely treatment and prevention of cardiovascular polymorbidity in patients with a cardiovascular profile.