Association of plaque in the carotid and coronary arteries, using MDCT angiography

Objective Associations between various plaque types in coronary and carotid arteries using multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) have not yet been reported. We evaluated MDCT correlation of total plaque and various plaque subtypes in carotid and coronary arteries. Methods We studied 62 patients who had both carotid and cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA). The plaque in each vascular segment was classified as non-calcified, calcified or mixed. Results The average age of this population was 68 ± 22 years, 63% males. Total plaque in the carotid artery correlated with total, calcified and mixed plaque in the coronary artery (all P < 0.001). Calcified plaque in the carotid artery was associated with total and calcified plaque in the coronary bed (P < 0.001). Non-calcified coronary plaque was not associated with carotid plaque. Conclusion Total plaque in coronary and carotid arteries are highly correlated.