Atherosclerotic Carotid Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Petrika Gjergo, Edmond Kapedani

Abstract: The prevalence of atherosclerosis has increased steadily due to aging population. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of carotid artery disease in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. We included 405 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) at the University Hospital Centre Mother Theresa. Of 405 patients constituting our population during the period of the study, there were 341 males (76 %) and 64 females (15.8 %). The mean age of patients was 62.4 (7.8) years, with a range 42-83 years. Overall 86 (21.2 %) patients had a carotid artery stenosis 50 %. A significant increasing trend of the prevalence of stenosis with increasing age was found (p=0.04). Preoperative diagnosis of carotid disease is very important in reducing the risk of perioperative stroke after cardiac surgery.

Keywords: carotid arteries, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting