Screening test for extracranial carotid lesions' detection in patients of an outpatient vascular clinic

Purpose: The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in extracranial sections of carotid arteries and to determine the level of the correlation between these lesions and symptoms of cerebral ischemia. Secondly, to identify the most common risk factors of ischaemic stroke occurrence in the population of patients of a vascular outpatient clinic. Material and Methods: Prospective study was conducted on a group of 1,000 people (217 women and 783 men), aged 50 to 86 years, the average age being 62 years (+/- 9.95). Results: Atherosclerotic lesions of carotid arteries were observed in 670 examined individuals (67%). In 63 cases (6.3%) carotid artery occlusion was revealed. Patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis more frequently were addicted to cigarettes and suffered from hypertension in comparison to the asymptomatic group. A statistically significant correlation between the TIA or ischemic stroke and smoking were noticed, as well as between TIA/ischemic stroke and hypertension. Conclusions: Among patients with atherosclerosis of the peripheral arteries, atherosclerotic lesions in the extracranial carotid sections occur with a high frequency. Statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries were observed in this group. A statistically significant correlation was revealed between the prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries in symptomatic patients and smoking and hypertension. Screening in patients with atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and/or lower limb arteries may detect significant carotid artery stenosis, requiring surgical intervention.