Importance of carotid intimal medial thickness measurement in patients with coronary artery disease

Background: Prevalence of CAD in urban India is about double that of rural India and about 4-fold higher than in United States. Mortality related to CAD is high in Indian Population. Early diagnosis can prevent the CAD related morbidity and mortality. Aims and objectives is to study and compare the CIMT among the patients with CAD and asymptomatic control group.Methods: Hundred patients with CAD were studied for the CIMT and compared with age and sex matched asymptomatic control subjects in Department of Medicine of G. R. Medical College, Gwalior for one year from 2012 to 2013. Details on history, risk factors and presenting symptoms were recorded for all. High resolution B mode ultrasonography was performed to assess CIMT of carotid arteries.Results: CAD was more prevalent among males (78%) having mean age of 56.82±8.91 years. Majority of CAD patients had dyslipidemia (42%) followed by hypertension (21%), diabetes (13%) and smoking (17%). Majority of the CAD patients had chest pain (98%) followed by breathlessness (54%) and sweating (12%) as the most common presenting symptom. Mean CIMT was significantly more among the CAD patients (0.76±0.34) as compared to those without it (0.63±0.22) (p<0.001).Conclusions: CIMT was found to be more in CAD as compared to asymptomatic control subjects. CIMT can be an important tool for assessing CAD and atherosclerosis