Correlation of Multiple Risk Factors and Combined Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease

Introduction: epidemiological data suggests worldwide burden of clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, (i.e. coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular diseases). Combined coronary and carotid disease is the most presented type of the polyvascular atherosclerotic disease. The goal is to evaluate the influence and correlation of multiple risk factors in combined coronary and carotid atherosclerotic disease and to compare them to isolated coronary atherosclerotic disease. Material and methods: we included total of 124 consecutive patients with established coronary and carotid atherosclerotic disease. Patients were divided in two groups; group with isolated coronary atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) (n=60) with clinicaly established atherosclerosis on coronary vascular bed. Group with combined carotid and coronary atherosclerotic disease (CCAD) (n=64), had clinicaly established combined atherosclerosis of two vascular beds, coronary and carotid. We performed clinical assessment, laboratory tests, and specific cardiac investigations, (i.e. invasive and non-invasive diagnostic procedures). Results: in ICAD group we found high significance in multiple risk factors; total cholesterol 92,6%, obesity 80%, and elevated fibrinogen 77,5%. In CCAD group we found high significance of multiple risk factors; total cholesterol (82,5%), elevated fibrinogen (82,5%) and tobacco smoking of 77,5%. In CCAD group in males most assessed risk factor was smoking 88,4%, and in females total cholesterol 92,8%. Comparing ICAD and CCAD group we found significantly more diabetes mellitus type 2 in CCAD group. Conclusion: in both groups of patients we found markedly increase risk factors especially arterial hypertension, smoking and total cholesterol level. Multiple regression analysis showed significant correlation of patients age as a predictor of arterial hypertension. In other risk factors; total cholesterol, obesity, diabetes mellitus and fibrinogen, we found no statistical significance related to patients’ age.