Correlation between aortic/carotid atherosclerotic plaques and cerebral infarction

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Neurology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Cerebral infarction, a leading cause of disability, can result from various factors.
• Identifying the sources of embolism is crucial for stroke prevention and treatment.
• Atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta and carotid arteries are potential sources of cerebral emboli.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between aortic atherosclerotic plaques (AAPs) and carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) and the occurrence of cerebral infarction.
• To determine if plaque characteristics (severity, stability) are associated with specific infarction types.

Main Methods:

• 116 cerebral infarction cases were analyzed.
• Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to exclude cerebrovascular stenosis.
• Transesophageal echocardiography and color Doppler ultrasound identified aortic and carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

Main Results:

• Aortic atherosclerotic plaques (AAPs) were found in 60.3% of cases, with 48.3% having moderate/severe changes. Plaque severity significantly correlated with infarction type (P<0.01).
• Carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) were present in 55.2% of cases, with 39.7% being unstable. Plaque stability significantly correlated with infarction type (P<0.01).
• Moderate/severe AAP and unstable CAP were identified as significant causes of embolic infarction in the absence of internal carotid artery stenosis.

Conclusions:

• Aortic and carotid atherosclerosis are significant contributors to embolic cerebral infarction.
• Plaque severity and stability are critical factors in determining stroke risk.
• These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating aortic and carotid plaques in stroke patients without significant internal carotid artery stenosis.