[Carotid stenosis complicated by coronary disease; a case report]

A 66-year-old-man with carotid stenosis complicated by coronary disease is reported. He suffered from mild motor weakness on the right side and speech disturbance. Radiological examination revealed 90% stenosis at the cervical portion of the left internal carotid artery, and two-vessel coronary disease. In order to prevent intraoperative cardiac stroke, initial percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA), was performed and the subsequent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was performed successfully. Preoperative symptoms gradually improved and he was discharged as ambulatory. Because atherosclerosis is always systemic, patients with carotid artery disease should be examined for coronary disease. We recommend greater use of coronary angiography and, when a lesion is found, the use of PTCA, which is a safer method in terms of preventing intraoperative cardiac stroke of CEA than any other method.