INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS OF COMMON AND SUPERFICIAL FEMORAL ARTERIES AS A MARKER OF CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common and superficial femoral arteries and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). A total of 80 patients aged 40–70 years participated in the study. IMT was assessed by ultrasonography, while the degree of coronary artery stenosis was evaluated via invasive angiography. Results demonstrated a statistically significant association between the mean IMT (IMTmean) of the common femoral artery and the severity of coronary stenosis, confirming the diagnostic value of femoral artery IMT. An IMTmean ≥0.83 mm predicted ≥50% coronary stenosis with a sensitivity of 72.1% and specificity of 61.1%.