Morphological and Functional Assessment of Carotid Plaques Have Similar Predictive Accuracy for Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Microwave radiometry allows noninvasive in vivo measuring of internal temperature of tissues reflecting inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the predictive accuracy of this method for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Consecutive patients (n=287) scheduled for coronary angiography were included in the study. In carotid arteries of both groups, the following measurements were performed: (1) intima-media thickness (IMTmax) and (2) temperature measurements by microwave radiometry (ΔTmax). C-statistic and net reclassification improvement were used to compare the prediction ability of the markers IMTmax and ΔTmax for the presence of CAD and multivessel CAD. RESULTS: Of 287 patients, 239 had stenoses ≥50% (CAD group), and 48 did not have significant stenoses (NO-CAD group). ΔTmax was an independent predictor for the presence of CAD and multivessel CAD, showing similar predictive accuracy to intima-media thickness, as assessed by c-statistic and net reclassification improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Local inflammatory activation, as detected by microwave radiometry, has similar predictive accuracy to intima-media thickness for the presence and extent of CAD.