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A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Computational Protocol for Analysis of Plaque Morphology and Hemodynamics in Patients with Carotid Artery Stenosis
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Published on: August 12, 2025

Association of aortic plaque with intracranial atherosclerosis in patients with stroke

H S Nam1, S W Han, J Y Lee

  • 1Department of Neurology and National Core Research Center for Nanomedical Technology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Neurology
|October 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Simple aortic plaques (SAP) are linked to intracranial atherosclerosis, a stroke risk factor. Detecting SAP during transesophageal echocardiography may indicate advanced vascular disease and aid in stroke prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Aortic plaques are associated with cerebrovascular events.
  • Intracranial atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between aortic plaques and intracranial atherosclerosis.
  • To determine if aortic plaque characteristics predict intracranial atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 922 stroke patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography and cerebral angiography.
  • Classification of aortic plaques as simple (SAP) or complex (CAP).
  • Assessment of intracranial (IC) or extracranial (EC) atherosclerosis via angiography.

Main Results:

  • Aortic plaques were found in 26% of patients.
  • Simple aortic plaques (SAP) were significantly associated with intracranial atherosclerosis (OR=1.94).
  • SAP independently predicted IC atherosclerosis in logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Simple aortic plaques may serve as a marker for advanced vascular disease.
  • Detection of SAP during echocardiography has clinical implications for identifying patients at risk for stroke due to concomitant intracranial atherosclerosis.
Abstract

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