Thickness of the «Intima-media» complex of brachiocephalic vessels as a significant marker of coronary atherosclerosis in ischemic heart disease

Aim. To assess the correlation of the indices of the «intima-media» complex thickness of brachiocephalic vessels by ultrasound investigation and the degree of coronary stenosis by angiography. Methods. 239 patients with ischemic heart disease and a history of myocardial infarction participated in the study. An ultrasound investigation of brachiocephalic vessels and angiography of the coronary arteries was performed in all patients in the in-patient setting. Results. Among patients with a thickness of the «intima-media» in the range of 0.8-1.1 mm not a single case of coronary stenosis was registered. When the thickness of the «intima-media» complex was 1.3 mm or more the prevalence and extent of atherosclerotic lesions of coronary vessels increased proportionally. Conclusion. The evaluation of the «intima-media» complex thickness of the brachiocephalic vessels makes it possible to predict with high accuracy the prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment of atherosclerosis.

ultrasound investigation, angiography, «intima-media» complex, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, coronary arteries of the heart, brachiocephalic trunk