Related Experiment Videos
[Prevalence of extracranial carotid occlusive disease. Non-invasive study]
J F Fernandes1, L M Pedro, J P Freire
1Instituto Vascular de Lisboa.
Insights
This study found a high prevalence of carotid occlusive disease in European patients, particularly those with a history of focal brain ischemia or asymptomatic cervical bruits. Risk factors like hypertension and diabetes were common among affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Cerebrovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in Europe.
- The prevalence of carotid occlusive disease, a key contributor, remains inadequately assessed.
- This study addresses this gap by evaluating a large patient cohort.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of extracranial carotid occlusive disease in a European patient population.
- To analyze the prevalence of carotid disease across different patient groups based on neurological symptoms.
- To identify the association between cardiovascular risk factors and carotid occlusive disease.
Summary:
- A 1985-1987 study assessed 1,143 patients for carotid occlusive disease using Doppler ultrasound criteria.
- The overall prevalence was 31.8%, with higher rates in patients with focal brain ischemia (37.2%) and asymptomatic cervical bruits (57.7%).
- Hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary disease, and diabetes were significantly more common in patients with carotid disease.
Impact:
- The findings highlight a substantial prevalence of carotid occlusive disease in this European population.
- Results are comparable to those observed in Northern European populations, suggesting a consistent burden.
- This data underscores the importance of screening and managing carotid disease and its risk factors.
Abstract:
Cerebrovascular disease is the most important cause of mortality and morbility in some European Countries, but the prevalence of carotid occlusive disease has not been adequately assessed. From 1985 to 1987, 1,143 patients were consecutively evaluated in the Vascular Laboratory in order to determine the presence of extracranial carotid occlusive disease. 638 (55.8%) were males and 505 (44.2%) females and mean age was 58 years (16-87). 509 had previously focal brain ischemia, ocular and/or hemispheric (Group I), 78 had assymptomatic cervical bruit (Group II), 55 non-hemispheric neurologic dysfunction (Group III) and 501 had atypical symptoms for cerebrovascular disease (Group IV). Diagnostic criteria for carotid disease: were peak frequency greater than 4.0 KHz; spectral broadening greater than 40% and late sysstolic turbulence. Global prevalence of carotid disease was 31.8% and the results in each group were: Gr. I-37.2%; Gr. II-57.7%; Gr. III-43.6%; Gr. IV-21.2%. 49% of the patients had hypertension, 22.8% dyslipidemia, 22.4% evidence of coronary disease and 13.6% had diabetes. Hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease and the coexistence of two risk factors were significantly more prevalent in the group of patients with carotid disease. These results confirm a high prevalence of carotid disease in this population, which is comparable to the one is northern european populations.