The presence of a heterogeneous carotid plaque was an independent predictor of all-cause death in hospitalized cardiological patients (RR 1.6).
Cohort (n=541)
No
Does the presence and morphology of carotid plaque predict mortality in hospitalized cardiological patients?
In hospitalized cardiology patients, the presence of heterogeneous carotid plaques on ultrasound is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality.
Relative Risk: 1.6 (95% CI 1.2–2.14)
p-value: p=0.002
BACKGROUND: Carotid plaque severity and morphology can affect cardiovascular prognosis. We evaluate both the importance of echographically assessed carotid artery plaque geometry and morphology as predictors of death in hospitalised cardiological patients. METHODS: 541 hospitalised patients admitted in a cardiological division (age = 66 +/- 11 years, 411 men), have been studied through ultrasound Duplex carotid scan and successively followed-up for a median of 34 months. Echo evaluation assessed plaque severity and morphology (presence of heterogeneity and profile). RESULTS: 361 patients showed carotid stenosis (67% with 70% stenosis, 4% with near occlusion and 2% with total occlusion). During the follow-up period, there were 83 all-cause deaths (15% of the total population). Using Cox's proportional hazard model, age (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.09, p = 0.000), ejection fraction > 50% (RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.4-0.96, p = 0.03), treatment with statins (RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29-0.95, p = 0.34) and the presence of a heterogeneous plaque (RR 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.14, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of death. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates have shown the best outcome in patients without plaque, intermediate in patients with homogeneous plaques and the worst outcome in patients with heterogeneous plaques (90% vs 79% vs 73%, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In hospitalised cardiological patients, carotid plaque presence and morphology assessed by ultrasound are independent predictors of death.
Petersen et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in Hospitalized cardiological patients (n=541). Heterogeneous carotid plaque vs. Absence of plaque or homogeneous plaque was evaluated on All-cause death (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.14, p=0.002). The presence of a heterogeneous carotid plaque was an independent predictor of all-cause death in hospitalized cardiological patients (RR 1.6).