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[Effects of atherogenic risk factors on asymptomatic brain infarct]
1First Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara.
Insights
Asymptomatic brain infarcts are linked to aging, hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. These findings highlight key risk factors for silent strokes, aiding in early detection and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
Context:
- Asymptomatic brain infarcts represent silent cerebrovascular events.
- Understanding their associated risk factors is crucial for preventive neurology.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between asymptomatic brain infarcts and atherogenic risk factors.
- To identify patient characteristics associated with silent brain infarcts.
Summary:
- A study of 312 patients (mean age 63) found that those with asymptomatic brain infarcts (≥5 mm) were older (≥65 years) and more likely to have essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or atrial fibrillation.
- Hypertension patients with infarcts showed higher rates of left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertensive ocular findings (Scheie's class H2).
Impact:
- Identifies aging, essential hypertension (with specific markers), diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation as significant associations with asymptomatic brain infarcts.
- Provides evidence supporting targeted screening and management of these risk factors to reduce stroke risk.
Abstract:
This study was done to clarify the relationship between asymptomatic brain infarcts and risk factors for atherogenis. A total of 312 patients (151 men and 161 women) who had no neurologic deficits were enrolled. Their ages ranged from 41 to 83 years (mean age 63 years). The patients were divided into two groups: 158 patients without asymptomatic brain infarct and 154 patients with at least one asymptomatic brain infarct of at least 5 mm as diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patients with asymptomatic brain infarct were more likely than those without asymptomatic brain infarct to be 65 years old or older, and to have essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or atrial fibrillation. Among patients with hypertension the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy or hypertensive ocular findings (Scheie's class H2) was significantly higher in those with asymptomatic brain infarct than in those without asymptomatic brain infarct. These results indicate that aging, essential hypertension (especially with left ventricular hypertrophy or hypertensive ocular findings), diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation are associated with asymptomatic brain infarct.