Association Between the Degree of Coronary Atherosclerosis, Risk Factors, and Markers of Carotid and Peripheral Artery Atherosclerosis

Aim. To investigate the associations between the presence and degree of coronary atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk factors, and atherosclerosis of other localisation. Material and methods. The cohort of 98 patients (61 men and 37 women; age 18–80 years) underwent an extensive clinical, biochemical, and instrumental examination, including coronary angiography. All participants were divided into three groups by the degree of coronary artery (CA) atherosclerosis: stenosis of 0–20%, 21–70%, and ≥71%. Results. There was no marked between-group difference in the non￾invasively assessed markers of the atherosclerosis of other localisation (ankle-brachial index and intima-media thickness). However, there was a significant positive correlation between CA atherosclerosis and smoking, overweight, and diabetes mellitus. The degree of CA atherosclerosis was significantly associated with hyperglycemia and positive exercise test results. The lowest levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL–CH) among patients with the most severe CA atherosclerosis could be due to the fact that this group also had the highest proportion of individuals who were treated with statins and achieved target LDL–CH levels. Conclusion. A further investigation is needed, with the focus on additional biochemical and other parameters, in order to identify the best determinants of the CA atherosclerosis degree and the acute complication risk for each patient.