Comparison of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients With Stable Angina Pectoris Versus Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

In this study, we found that carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was significantly increased and carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques were detected more frequently in patients who had early-onset coronary artery disease compared with control subjects (0.73 ± 0.10 vs 0.60 ± 0.10 mm, p <0.001, and 40% vs 11%, p <0.001, respectively). Further, patients who had coronary artery disease and presented with an acute coronary syndrome were found to have significantly increased carotid IMT compared with patients who had stable angina pectoris (0.76 ± 0.10 vs 0.70 ± 0.10 mm, p <0.05). The IMT was greater in the patients who had acute coronary syndrome than in those who had stable angina pectoris.