Common carotid intima-media thickness in acute ischemic stroke: A case control study
Ratnakar Sahoo1, M Vamshi Krishna, D K S Subrahmaniyan
1Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India. drksahoo@gmail.com
Neurology India
|November 26, 2009
Summary
Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is significantly higher in acute ischemic stroke patients compared to controls. Increased CIMT is linked to age and carotid plaques, highlighting its role in stroke risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Stroke is a leading global cause of death.
- Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) indicates atherosclerosis and predicts ischemic stroke.
- Understanding CIMT prevalence and risk factors in stroke patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine CIMT frequency in acute ischemic stroke patients versus matched controls.
- To identify risk factors associated with CIMT in this population.
- To evaluate the relationship between CIMT, age, and carotid plaques.
Main Methods:
- Sixty ischemic stroke patients (CT-diagnosed) and 50 matched controls were studied.
- Carotid duplex scanning using a 7.5 MHz linear array probe assessed CIMT and plaque presence.
- Statistical analysis compared CIMT between groups and correlated it with risk factors.
Main Results:
- Average CIMT was significantly higher in stroke patients (0.798 mm) than controls (0.6 mm) (P < 0.0001).
- Patients with carotid plaques showed increased IMT (0.95 mm) versus those without (0.71 mm) (P < 0.001).
- CIMT demonstrated a significant association with increasing age (P < 0.05) and the presence of carotid plaques.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CIMT is prevalent in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
- CIMT is independently associated with advanced age and the presence of carotid plaques.
- CIMT serves as a valuable marker for assessing stroke risk.
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