Advanced carotid stenosis in TIA and minor stroke as a predictor of coronary heart disease: a 3-year follow-up.

ABSTRACT

Eighty-six patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or minor stroke from the carotid artery territory, examined in the extracranial carotid arteries by duplex ultrasound, were prospectively followed for 3 years to find out whether a higher degree of carotid stenosis in these patients might predict mortality and morbidity in myocardial infarction (MI). Thirty-three of these (38%) had carotid stenosis greater than or equal to 50% on one or both sides. In these patients, 36% (12/33) suffered MI during follow-up compared to 7% (4/53) in the patients with lesser degree of stenosis. 75% (12/16) of the MI's were fatal. The total mortality in MI was 30% (10/33) in patients having a stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, in TIA-patients it was 24% (12/51) and in patients with TIA + greater than or equal to 50% stenosis it was 36% (10/28). It is suggested that the presence of high degree stenosis in the carotid arteries might predict mortality and morbidity in MI among TIA and minor stroke subjects.