Abstract

T. Sumalatha*, Sreelatha, T.K. Rajasree and T. Sivaprasad

The aim of this study is to find out the incidence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis among patients undergoing CABG. To find its correlation with age, sex and any predilection to side and site of carotid artery. Doppler ultrasound of carotid arteries was done in 200 patients undergoing Carotid Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Patients including both sexes were aged between 35 and 75 years. Patients without any pre existing neurological deficits in the last 6 months were included in the study. Among the study population, 34 cases (17%) of carotid artery stenosis cases were found. The highest number of patients 17 (50%) was found in the age group of 56-65 years. The prevalence of carotid artery stenosis among patients aged more than 55 years (21.5%) is significantly high (p<0.05), than patients less than 55 years (10.1%) old. Out of 34 cases, 38% had bilateral carotid artery stenosis, 32% had right side and 30% had left side carotid stenosis. The commonest site involved was at carotid bulb and internal carotid artery (CB and ICA) in 61.9% of cases. The average IMT of patients who had normal carotid arteries was found to be 0.1193mm on right side and 0.1151mm on left side. Males are at more risk than females. In the age group of 56-65yrs, there is a peak incidence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. The carotid stenosis is highly prevalent among patients with severe coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis predominantly affects the carotid artery bifurcation due to its typical flow characteristics. The average IMT of carotid arteries of indian patients who had normal carotid arteries was found to be 0.1193mm on right side and 0.1151mm on left side.