Aortic Calcification - is it a Marker for Carotid Artery Stenosis?

Atherosclerosis is the major contributor for the morbidity and mortality for the variety of cardiovascular diseases. Aortic calcification on x-ray is a marker for arterial atherosclerosis and an independent prognostic factor for the morbidity and mortality from a cardiovascular event. Carotid artery stenoses is the current accepted indication for interventional treatment of carotid artery, for the prevention of embolic event, while other arterial atherosclerosis indication, is for hemodynamic disturbance and ischemic outcome. This research will try to find whether incidental aortic calcification can predict carotid artery stenosis. Two groups will be chosen: group A - patients who had CT scan in the hospital (for different indications); Group B - patients (not from the first group) who have a significant carotid artery stenosis who are indicated for interventional treatment. The data to analyze: Group A - Patients with aortic calcification, carotid artery stenosis, and patients with both Group B - Patients who have aortic calcification Comparison of the populations within the group and among the two will show if a significant correlation between aortic calcification and carotid artery stenosis exist.