Five-year outcomes in men screened for carotid artery stenosis at 65 years of age : a population-based cohort study

• Objectives: The aim was to determine the prognosis of 65-year old men five years after carotid ultrasound screening, as well as risk factors for disease progression.Material and methods: All 65-year-old men living in the county of Uppsala 2007-2009 were invited to an ultrasound examination of both carotid arteries and re-invited at age 70. The cohort was grouped into: normal carotids, plaque without significant stenosis, moderate stenosis (50-79%), and severe stenosis (80-99%). The rates of disease progression to death, significant stenosis, and neurological events were assessed, as well as risk factors and medication.Results: Among men participating in carotid screening at age 65, 3057 were re-screened at age 70. In those with normal carotids (n=2318), 23 (1.0%) progressed to a moderate, and four (0.2%) developed a symptomatic severe stenosis. Among those with plaque (n=696), 25 (3.6%) progressed to moderate, and eight (1.1%) to severe stenosis, of whom four (0.6%) had symptoms. Of 31 with 50-79% stenosis, four (12.9%) had progressed to a severe stenosis, of whom two (6.5%) developed symptoms. Five of twelve subjects (42%) with 80-99% stenosis developed symptoms. Disease regression was present among 306 (41.4%) men. In multivariable analysis, smoking, coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia were associated with disease progression. The proportions of antiplatelet, statin and antihypertensive treatment in the population at age 70 were 22%, 29% and 55% respectively.Conclusion: Men with plaques and moderate stenosis have a good prognosis, but in those with severe stenosis there was a high risk of neurological events.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

carotid stenosis

atherosclerotic plaque

natural history

mortality

stroke rate

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