Cardiovascular Journal of Africa

Correlation between carotid intima–media thickness and patient outcomes in coronary artery disease in central South Africa

V Mokoena, L Botes, SC Brown, FE Smit
Abstract
Objectives: Carotid intima–medial thickness (CIMT) is a non-invasive tool used to detect atherosclerosis and diagnose cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine whether pre-operative CIMT measurements correlated with intraand postoperative outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Methods: This retrospective, analytical cohort included 89 patients diagnosed with ACS who received CABG surgery. Patients were divided into two cohorts: group 1: normal CIMT < 0.07 cm and group 2: abnormal CIMT ≥ 0.07 cm. B-mode ultrasound was used to measure the CIMT in all patients. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data and complications were recorded for each patient.
Results: The study included 77 (86.5%) males and 12 (13.5%) females. Pre-operative mean body mass index was significantly higher (p = 0.03) in group 2 than in group 1. Group 2 had a significantly increased incidence of diabetes (p = 0.008) and hypertension (p = 0.009), and increased NT-proBNP levels (p = 0.02). Intra- and postoperative outcomes between the groups were comparable, with no significant differences.
Conclusion: The study showed no correlation between abnormal CIMT and increased adverse intra- and postoperative patient outcomes. Therefore, the results of this study show CIMT should not be considered a tool to predict adverse events in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
Keywords: carotid intima–media thickness, acute coronary syndrome, outcomes, complications, coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Submitted: March 27, 2023; Accepted: October 30, 2023; Published Online First: November 16, 2023; Published: December 15, 2024
Cardiovasc J Afr 2024; 35: 327-332
Volume 35, Issue 4
DOI Citation Reference: dx.doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-055
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
V Mokoena, BTech
FE Smit, MB ChB, FC (Cardio) SA, PhD, FACC
Department of Health Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa
L Botes, Phd, DTech
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
SC Brown, DMed, MMed, MB ChB, FCPaed, DCH

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