The relation of coronary and peripheral arterial disease to the severity of femoral atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolaemia

OBJECTIVES

The extent of atherosclerosis in the superficial femoral artery and the severity of arterial disease in the aorto-iliac and femoro-popliteal arterial districts were related to clinical diagnosis of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolaemic patients.

DESIGN

The study constitutes baseline cross-sectional data of a randomized double-blind clinical trial on Probucol, using both computer based and visual estimations of angiographies as endpoints.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and ninety men and women (mean age 54 years) with hypercholesterolaemia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Atherosclerosis was estimated with arteriographies. Lumen volume and edge roughness (vessel inner wall irregularity) of a 20 cm segment of the femoral artery were estimated by computer. A visual atherosclerosis score of the abdominal aorta to the popliteal arteries was made on both sides.

RESULTS

Patients with peripheral arterial disease had significantly more advanced disease according to all three angiographic variables than those without symptoms of peripheral vascular disease. Both men and women with coronary artery disease had significantly lower femoral lumen volume and higher roughness values than patients without. Men with previous myocardial infarction had significantly higher mean visual scores of atherosclerosis than those without, while lumen volume and roughness did not differ in either sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Femoral atherosclerosis is an expression of a generalized disease, associated with clinical symptoms of coronary artery disease. Femoral atherosclerosis is often accompanied by atherosclerosis also in the coronary arteries.