Syntax score II was positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness in post-acute CAD, whereas microvascular reactivity was associated with CIMT in chronic CAD.
Cross-Sectional (n=98)
Coronary artery disease severity scores (Syntax and Gensini) are associated with carotid intima-media thickness and microvascular function in patients with post-acute and chronic CAD.
Objective: Microvascular dysfunction is a generalized phenomenon. Patients with angina and ANOCA demonstrate systemic vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. On the other hand, in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) microvascular reactivity was intact, but associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events. Present cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations of CAD scores (Syntax scores, SS and Gensini score) with microvascular reactivity and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) of common carotid artery (CCA). Design and method: Study included total of 98 patients on regular medications, 48 with post-acute CAD (Ac-CAD) and 50 patients with chronic CAD (Ch-CAD), age 56 (50 - 63) years. Forearm skin microcirculatory blood flow and CIMT were assessed by Laser Doppler Flowmetry and ultrasound, respectively. Anthropometric characteristics, arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and lipid profile were assessed. Institutional ethical approvals (#R1-389/2025, R2:19326-7/2016, R2-8262/2020). Patients gave written informed consent. Statistical analysis: Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test, Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: Body mass index (BMI) of both groups was above 30 kg/m2. SS I and II were low or intermediate in both groups. BP was normotensive, postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) and acetylcholine-induced dilation (AChID), all were similar between groups. Waist-to-hip ratio, HR, total cholesterol, LDL and urate were significantly higher, while HDL and transferrin was significantly lower and SS II was higher, CIMT right anterior, CIMT left posterior and inter-adventitial diameter (IAD) were larger in Ac-CAD.. CIMT right and left posterior positively correlated with SS II, CCA left intraluminal diameter (IDL) positively correlated with Gensini score in Ac-CAD. Ch-CAD: PORH negatively correlated with BMI and CCA-left IAD; AChID-negative correlation with: CIMT right posterior, CCA right and left IAD and left ILD. CCA left ILD positive correlation with Gensini score; transferrin and urates-positive association with SS II and Gensini. Multivariate analysis: significant influence of urate levels, age and BMI on SS in Ch-CAD and age on SS I and II in Ac-CAD. Conclusions: The results suggest association between coronary microvascular function and CIMT in Ch-CAD, and an association of CIMT and SS II in Ac-CAD patients.
Drenjancevic et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Coronary artery disease (n=98). Syntax and Gensini scores was evaluated on Microvascular reactivity and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). Syntax score II was positively correlated with carotid intima-media thickness in post-acute CAD, whereas microvascular reactivity was associated with CIMT in chronic CAD.