Validation of two different grading schemes to identify patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in general population

BACKGROUND: Identification of significant asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is important because of potential stroke-risk reduction offered by carotid endarterectomy. We present an external validation of two previously developed scoring schemes designed to identify patients with ACAS. METHODS: We used the data from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) - a cohort study of cardiovascular risk factors, for external validation. Carotid Doppler ultrasound was performed in study participants. Two grading schemes, which used age more than 65 years, current smoking, and history of coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia as predictors for ACAS, were validated using this dataset. RESULTS: A total of 5,449 persons (mean age 72 ± 5 years; 42% men; and 84% white) were screened. The overall prevalence of ACAS of ≥50% was 4.2%. The prevalence of ACAS in the highest risk category was 19% in both stratification schemes. The stratification remained effective in the white sub-population (P <.001), but was not significant in the African American population (P >.05). CONCLUSION: Both schemes were effective in identifying persons with ACAS among general population aged 65 years or greater. A subset with a prevalence of ACAS of greater than 20% can be identified using these schemes making screening cost-effective among white population.