ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

Purpose: The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between severity of peripheral arterial disease and severity of the co-existent carotid artery disease. Methods and Materials: 60 patients admitted with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) were included into the study. In every patient lower extremity angiography examination and carotid artery ultrasound examination were performed. Ultrasound examination was done using “ultrasound biopsy“ classification to evaluate plaques and using Doppler measurements to assess blood flow hemodynamic changes. Results: The prevalence of PAD according to TASC was: 15,0% patients had type A, 66,7% patients had type B, 11,7% patients had type C, 6,6% patients had type D. The prevalence of carotid artery disease was: 1,7% patients with 0% ICA stenosis, 68,3% with 1–39% ICA stenosis, 16,6% with 40–59% stenosis, 5% with 60–79% stenosis, 1,7% with 80–99% stenosis and 6,7% had unilateral ICA occlusion. Concerning the hemodynamically significant ICA stenosis that is 3 50% or occlusion, the prevalence was 18,3% patients, between them 3 patients had 50–59% ICA stenosis, 3 had 60–79% stenosis, 1 had 80–99% stenosis, 4 had occlusion. The prevalence of carotid disease according to “ultrasound biopsy“ classification was: 1,7% for class I, 1,7% II, 35% III, 31,6% IV, 18,3% V, 5% VI, 6,7% VII. Conclusions: A high prevalence of carotid artery disease had been detected in patients with peripheral arterial disease. No correlation was confirmed between severity of peripheral arterial disease and severity of the co-existent carotid artery disease.