Association of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness with Complex Aortic Atherosclerosis in Patients with Recent Stroke

This study was undertaken to determine whether carotid intima-media thickness can predict complex aortic atherosclerosis. A retrospective review was conducted of 64 consecutive patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography for evaluation of recent ischemic stroke at MCP Hahnemann University, Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 1999. The mean age was 65 ± 14 years and 59% of the patients were women. Thirty-nine patients (61 %) had carotid atherosclerosis (defined as an intima-media thickness ≥ 1 mm) and seven patients (11%) had complex aortic atherosclerosis (defined as the presence of protruding atheroma ≥4 mm thick, mobile atherosclerotic debris, or plaque ulceration in any aortic segment by transesophageal echocardiography). Compared to patients without complex aortic atherosclerosis, patients with complex aortic atherosclerosis were more likely to have hypercholesterolemia (19% vs 57%, p = 0.05) and a carotid intima-me...