Relationship Between Carotid Stenosis and Infarct Volume in Ischemic Stroke Patients
Aybala Neslihan Alagoz1, Bilgehan Atılgan Acar1, Türkan Acar1
1Department of Neurology, Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey.
Insights
The degree of carotid artery stenosis can help predict stroke infarct volume. Higher stenosis correlates with larger infarcts in patients with large-artery atherosclerosis stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Stroke is a major global health concern, with ischemia accounting for 85% of cases.
- Internal carotid artery (ICA) territory infarcts represent a significant portion of ischemic strokes.
- Large-artery atherosclerosis is a common cause of acute ischemic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between carotid artery stenosis, infarct volume, and stroke severity.
- To assess the predictive value of carotid stenosis for infarct size in acute stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- Study included 47 acute stroke patients classified under large-artery atherosclerosis (TOAST).
- Infarct volume measured using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI).
- Carotid stenosis assessed via carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA); stroke severity evaluated using NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between the percentage of carotid artery stenosis and infarct volume (p<0.001).
- A significant positive correlation of moderate strength (r=0.366, p=0.001) was observed between NIHSS scores and infarct volume.
- Carotid stenosis emerged as a significant predictor of infarct volume.
Conclusions:
- The degree of carotid artery stenosis is a valuable predictor of infarct volume in acute stroke.
- This finding aids in understanding stroke pathophysiology and patient risk stratification.
- Further research can explore the clinical implications of these correlations for stroke management.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND Stroke is a serious health problem all over the world. Ischemia causes 85% of strokes and 75% of these ischemic strokes occur within the area supplied by the internal carotid artery (ICA). MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included 47 acute stroke patients who were in the large-artery atherosclerosis group according to Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification and who had an infarct in the area supplied by the internal carotid artery. We sought to determine whether there was a significant correlation between the infarct volume of the patients as measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI), their National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and degree of carotid stenosis as identified by carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA). RESULTS A significant correlation was observed between the percentage of carotid artery stenosis and infarct volume (p<0.001). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the NIHSS and infarct volume; the correlation was of moderate strength (r=0.366, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the percentage of carotid artery stenosis could be useful in predicting the infarct volume of the stroke.
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