PREVALENCE OF MULTI-FOCAL ATHEROSCLEROTIC PATHOLOGY ACROSS AGE GROUPS

Aim. To compare the prevalence of multi-focal subclinical atherosclerotic pathology and its determinants in cardiovascular surgery patients. Material and methods. The study included 1018 patients — 825 en and 193 women (mean age 59,0±12,0 years) — who were hospitalised for a planned intervention on coronary or other arteries. Group I (n=542) was aged under 60 years, Group II (n=215) — 60–64 years, Group III (n=141) — 65–69 years, and Group IV (n=120) — 70 years or older. All participants underwent coronary angiography and Doppler ultrasound; peripheral angiography was performed, if necessary. Multi-focal atherosclerosis (MFA) criteria were the presence of stenosis (≥30%) or revascularisation in two or more vascular territories. Results. Subclinical atherosclerotic pathology of various localisation was observed in 52,3% of the patients. Advanced age was linked to an increase in the MFA prevalence: from 45,8% in Group I to 58,6% in Group II, 58,2% in Group III, and 63,3% in Group IV (p=0,0001). In Group I, MFA was associated with the intermittent claudication syndrome (ICS), decreased body mass index (BMI), increased intima-media thickness (IMT), elevated total cholesterol (TCH). However, in Groups II–IV, the only association observed was between MFA and ICS. Conclusion. Taking into account the subclinical (hemodynamically insignificant) arterial pathology had resulted in a high prevalence of MFA. Advanced age was associated with a higher MFA prevalence. Other factors linked to MFA were increased IMT, elevated TCH, decreased BMI, and ICS.