Duplex Ultrasound for Carotid Arteries Must be Done as Screening for All Patients with Coronary Artery Surgery Regardless of Age Group and Risk Factors

Aim: Routine utilizes of Doppler ultrasonography in the clinical examination of the patients for carotid artery stenosis varies according to the age groups. In the present work, predictive level of age groups and co-occurrence risk factors are examined in terms of the necessity of Doppler ultrasonography to be routinely used in the examination of the carotid artery in isolated coronary and associated with carotid artery surgery.

Material and Method: 86 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy in our center between April 2016 and June 2018. Thirty-eight (44.18%) of these patients had been detected during the screening before the coronary artery by-pass graft surgery, whereas 48 (55.82%) were patients referred from the neurology clinic because of severe carotid artery stenosis. Retrospectively reviewed of all patients in terms of gender and age group, as well the existence of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Division of patients into two groups: those < 65years age (Group 1) and those equals 65 and over (Group2).

Results: Thirty-one (36%) of the patients that underwent carotid endarterectomy was < 65 years’ age (Group 1). Fifteen (17.4%) of these patients were those that would undergo coronary bypass surgery. When the patients had submitted isolated and concomitant carotid artery endarterectomy were evaluated in terms of risk factors, hypertension and diabetes were found significantly higher in group one as compared to group two (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Our opinion Doppler ultrasonography should routinely use together with physical examination in the preoperative evaluation of the patients with coronary artery disease in order not to underestimate such critical carotid artery stenosis that would require surgical intervention.