Clinical value of right subclavian artery atheromatosis presented as the marker of early carotid artery arteriosclerosis

Abstract

Background There are many reports regarding the harmful effect of arteriosclerosis at the bifurcation of common carotid artery, but few researches involving the application of color Doppler sonography scanning for the diagnosis of arteriosclerosis at the initial part of right subclavian artery. This study aims to explore the clinical value of early diagnosis for carotid arteriosclerosis. Methods In this study almost 455 subjects were enrolled and underwent ultrasound examination for large cervical arteries. The subjects were divided into groups by gender and age. Color Doppler sonography was used to scan extracranial part of bilateral carotid artery and the initial part of right subclavian artery. The detectable rates of arteriosclerosis at carotid artery, initial part of right subclavian artery and bifurcate part of common carotid artery were calculated by different ages and genders. Results Detectable rate of arteriosclerosis was increased by age (χ2 = 165.994, P = 0.000). The detectable rate of arteriosclerosis at initial part of right subclavian artery and bifurcate part of common carotid artery in different age-groups was significant different (P = 0.000, for all). In addition, detectable rates of arteriosclerosis at initial part of right subclavian artery and bifurcate part of common carotid artery in group of age 40-49 and 50-59 were lower than other groups (P < 0.05). The detectable rate of arteriosclerosis at initial part of right subclavian artery was higher than that at bifureate part of common carotid artery for all groups, but the difference was only statistically significant in group of age 40-49 and 50-59 (P = 0.019 in age 40-49 group, P = 0.006 in age 50-59 group). There was no significant difference in group of age 60-69 (P = 0.388) and ≥ 70 (P = 0.167). According to the research with gender and risk factors, detectable rate of arteriosclerosis at bifurcate part of common carotid artery and initial part of right subclavian artery in male group and risk factors group was higher than female group (P = 0.029, 0.008) and without risk factors group (P = 0.000, 0.001) respectively. In the group without risk factors, the detectable rate of arteriosclerosis at initial part of right subclavian artery was higher than bifurcate part of common carotid artery (P < 0.05). Conclusion The initial part of right subclavian artery should be commonly scanned by color Doppler sonography to early detect arteriosclerosis in middle-aged people. It is important in avoiding cerebrovascular diseases.