Wu C, Wu C.L, Su FC, et al. - The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between pre-existing coronary artery disease (CAD) and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (IS) patients with high-grade carotid artery stenosis (CAS). Researchers included a total of 372 acute IS patients with high-grade CAS between January 1, 2007, and April 30, 2012 and prospectively observed them for 5 years. They compared demographic features, vascular risk factors, comorbidities, and outcomes between patients with and without pre-existing CAD. In patients with pre-existing CAD were significantly higher than in those without pre-existing CAD, the prevalence rates of hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and gout. The outcomes demonstrated that, in acute IS patients with high-grade CAS, pre-existing CAD was correlated with an increased risk of 5-year mortality. The results suggested that intensive treatment for the pre-existing CAD may decrease long-term mortality in acute IS patients with high-grade CAS.