Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Is Only Weakly Correlated With the Extent and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Although carotid IMT is significantly correlated with extent and severity of CAD, the relationship is weak. This relatively poor correlation (r2 < .10) should be considered in the interpretation of clinical trials that use carotid IMT as a surrogate end point for coronary atherosclerosis.