Association Between Carotid Bulb Diaphragm and Ischemic Stroke in Young Afro-Caribbean Patients: A Population-Based

Julien Joux1, Marion Boulanger2, Severine Jeannin2

  • 1From the Stroke Unit (J.J., S.J.), Department of Vascular Surgery (J.-L.H.), and Department of Cellular Pathology (V.M.), University Hospital of Martinique, French West Indies; Stroke Unit, Hospital sud francilien, Corbeil Essonnes, France (N.C., D.S.); Stroke Unit, University Hospital Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France (S.O.); and Université de Caen Normandie, Inserm U919, CHU Côte de Nacre, Caen France (M.B., E.T.). julien.joux@gmail.com.

Stroke
|September 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Carotid bulb diaphragm (CBD) is linked to a higher risk of carotid ischemic stroke (CIS) in young Afro-Caribbean individuals. This study investigated the prevalence and association of CBD with CIS in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Carotid bulb diaphragm (CBD) is observed in young patients with carotid ischemic stroke (CIS), particularly in Black populations.
  • The prevalence of CBD in CIS patients and its role as a risk factor for CIS are not well-established.
  • Previous research suggests a potential link, necessitating further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of CBD in young CIS patients.
  • To assess the association between CBD and incident CIS in a population-based cohort.
  • To clarify if CBD is an independent risk factor for CIS in the studied demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study was conducted in Martinique (2012) including young (<55 years) CIS patients and age/sex-matched controls.
  • Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was used for comprehensive work-up in all participants.
  • Poisson distribution and conditional logistic regression were employed to calculate incidence and adjusted odds ratios.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of CIS associated with ipsilateral CBD was 3.8 per 100,000 person-years.
  • Prevalence of ipsilateral CBD was 23% in all CIS patients and 37% in those with undetermined CIS.
  • CBD was found to be 24 times more prevalent in undetermined CIS patients compared to controls (adjusted OR, 24.1).

Conclusions:

  • Carotid bulb diaphragm (CBD) is significantly associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral carotid ischemic stroke (CIS).
  • The findings highlight CBD as a potential risk factor for CIS in the young Afro-Caribbean population.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of CBD in stroke etiology.
Abstract