patients. The Revised Cardiac Risk (RCR) index, identifying cardiac risk factors, is commonly used for preoperative risk

stratification. However, a more direct marker of the underlying atherosclerotic disease, such as the common carotid artery

intimamedia thickness (CCA-IMT) may be of predictive value as well. The current study evaluated the prognostic value of the

CCA-IMT for postoperative CV outcome.

recorded the RCR factors: ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and renal

dysfunction. Repeated Troponin T measurements and electrocardiograms were performed postoperatively. The study end point

was the composite of 30-day CV events and long-term CV mortality. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess the

additional value of CCA-IMT for the prediction of cardiac events.

respectively. The optimal predictive value of CCA-IMT, using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, for the

prediction of CV events was calculated to be 1.25 mm (sensitivity 70%, specificity 80%). An increased CCA-IMT was

independently associated with 30-day CV events (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.38-3.52) and long-term CV mortality (HR 6.88, 95%

CI 4.11-11.50), respectively.

day CV events and long-term CV mortality, incremental to the RCR index. (Am Heart J 2009;158:202-8.)