Ultrasound study on correlation between atherosclerosis of femoral artery, abdominal aorta and carotid artery and coronary atherosclerosis

AIM:To explore the correlation between atherosclerosis of femoral artery, abdominal aorta and carotid artery and coronary atherosclerosis using ultrasound. METHODS: The film thickness within (IMT, intima-media thickness), patch integral and plaque numbers of the femoral artery, abdominal aorta and carotid artery were measured by ultrasound in 109 patients 1 week after coronary angiography. RESULTS: Atherosclerosis of the femoral artery, abdominal aorta and carotid artery were positively correlated with coronary atherosclerosis (P<0.01, P<0.05). Sensitivity of the femoral artery plaque and coronary atherosclerosis was 88.6% and specificity was 76.9%. Sensitivity of abdominal aorta plaque and coronary atherosclerosis was 72.9% and specificity was 71.8%. Sensitivity of carotid artery plaque and coronary atherosclerosis was 82.9% and specificity was 79.5%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic imaging and detection of the femoral artery, abdominal aorta and carotid artery IMT and plaque can indirectly predict the different degrees of coronary atherosclerosis.