Carotid arteries ultrasound for predicting coronary artery disease
Ischemic heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in the world. Myocardial infarction or even death might be the initial presentation of ischemic heart disease. Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of long-term mortality in stroke surviving patients. The aim of this paper is to present the possibilities of predicting coronary artery disease in stroke patients. Evaluating carotid arteries intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque morphology, and degree of stenosis can give us valuable additional information for predicting cardiovascular risk and silent coronary artery disease in otherwise asymptomatic patients. Measuring IMT and assessing carotid atherosclerotic plaque is justified in subjects with high vascular risk profile.