Ultrasonography screening of carotid arteries in asymptomatic patients

Objective: to identify the most important predictors of carotid artery stenosis in ambulatory patients of Saratov and Saratov Oblast, using multivariate analysis, and to specify an ideal patient for ultrasonographic screening. Materials and methods. In 2014-2018, field consultations and ultrasonographic examinations were performed for asymptomatic patients with suspected carotid artery disease at outpatient clinics of Saratov and Saratov Oblast. Such patients were referred for screening by neurologists and general practitioners. The study encompassed 470 medical charts. The multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of carotid artery stenosis of 50 per cent or more. Results. Carotid artery stenosis of ≥30% was detected in 24.5% (i.e., 115 of 470) of study participants; of ≥50% in 10.2% (48 of 470) patients, and of ≥70% stenosis in 2.9% (14/470) of participants. The multivariate analysis revealed that the odds of finding stenosis of ≥50% in patients, selected by neurologists and general practitioners for ultrasonographic screening, were significantly higher in the presence of the following factors: age exceeding 72, male gender, acute cerebrovascular event in anamnesis > 6 months ago, atherosclerosis of leg arteries, and episodes of speech impairment. We developed the point scale for risk assessment. A point scale for risk assessment has been created. In the absence of prognostic factors, the absolute risk of detecting stenosis ≥50% was just 3%, with 1 point it was 16%, and with 4 points it amounted to >50%. Conclusion. Our analysis enabled us to specify the most significant predictors of carotid artery stenosis in patients observed at outpatient clinics of Saratov and Saratov Oblast, and to obtain a patient model helping to optimize optimize selection for ultrasonographic examination.