Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2026

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
07:12

An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Published on: September 8, 2023

Occult aorto-iliac disease in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease

A Kafetzakis1, A D Giannoukas, G Kochiadakis

  • 1Division of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

International Angiology : a Journal of the International Union of Angiology
|January 10, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Occult aorto-iliac disease (OAID) in patients undergoing coronary angiography is linked to more severe coronary artery disease (CAD). This subset of patients also shows a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and family history of atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis can affect the entire cardiovascular system, even without symptoms.
  • Early carotid artery changes correlate with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) morbidity and mortality.
  • Investigating occult aorto-iliac disease (OAID) can reveal hidden risks for CAD severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the relationship between occult aorto-iliac disease (OAID) and CAD severity.
  • To identify risk factors associated with the presence of OAID.
  • To understand the implications of OAID in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • 284 patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA) were assessed.
  • Aorto-iliac arterial segments were imaged in addition to coronary arteries.
  • Risk factors and CAD severity were analyzed in relation to OAID presence in eligible patients.

Main Results:

  • 203 patients with positive CA and no lower limb arterial disease were analyzed.
  • Patients with OAID (110) exhibited more severe CAD compared to those without OAID (93).
  • Hypercholesterolemia and positive family history were significantly more prevalent in patients with OAID.

Conclusions:

  • Occult aorto-iliac disease (OAID) is associated with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Patients with OAID have a higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and family history of atherosclerosis.
  • This patient group may represent a subset with more aggressive atherosclerotic disease.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:21

Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Thoracic, aortic arch and abdominal aneurysms are significant vascular conditions that can present with various clinical manifestations and lead to serious complications. Understanding these manifestations and the appropriate diagnostic studies is essential for effective management and treatment.Thoracic Aortic AneurysmsThoracic aortic aneurysms often remain asymptomatic until they reach a size that impinges on adjacent structures. They typically cause deep, diffuse chest pain that radiates to...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...
Angina II: Classification01:27

Angina II: Classification

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a chest pain resulting from diminished blood flow to the heart muscle and is often a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina presents several variants with distinctive attributes, etiologies, and therapeutic approaches. The main types of angina include stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal's), microvascular, intractable, and silent ischemia.Stable angina is caused by atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of plaques that narrow the coronary...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care01:26

Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care

Aneurysm management involves either conservative medical therapy or surgical intervention, depending on the size and symptoms of the aneurysm. Conservative management is generally reserved for smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms, while larger or symptomatic aneurysms often necessitate surgical repair.Conservative Medical TherapyFor small, asymptomatic aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) less than 5.5 centimeters in diameter, conservative medical therapy is recommended. This...