Cerebral and Coronary Vasculature in Disease Associations and Dissociations in the South Indian Population

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular accidents constitute the most common cause of disability all over the world. In India prevalence rate is 545 per 100000 and mortality rate is around 7.5 per thousand. Therefore the authors undertook a study on patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). They were investigated for clinical and/or radiological evidence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) with the aim to decide on early neurological intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 210 patients who had undergone CABG were evaluated with neck vessel Doppler using high resolution duplex scanner system and computed tomography (CT) scan as well as MR angiogram (MRA) in addition to assessment of co morbid risk factors. RESULTS: 91% of patients who had undergone CABG had radiological evidence of CVD. The most common risk associated with CAD and CVD was Hypertension (HT), DM, dyslipidemia and combined HT and DM in that order. Neck vessels were normal in 59%. Significant disease was found in only 7.2%. Internal carotids were abnormal in 82%. Infarcts were seen in 82.1%. DISCUSSION: This study reveals patients with CAD have a high degree of asymptomatic CVD. It is mostly due to small vessel disease including internal carotids but not so much with large vessels. Therefore, patients with CAD carry a high risk of vascular cognitive dysfunction. This can be reduced by effective management of the systemic risk factors. Screening for large vessel disease which is commonly done is likely to give a false sense of security. CONCLUSION: As against western population Indians seem to have small and medium sized vessels disease in the setting of CAD.