3602: Carotid atherosclerosis, intracranial artery stenosis and cerebral white matter lesions

Abstract

Objectives: Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery serves as a marker of general atherosclerosis and the association of IMT with ischemic stroke has been documented. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of IMT, intracranial artery stenosis and cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs).Methods: We collected data of B-mode ultrasound graphic measurements of carotid IMT and brain MRI and MRA from 712 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to Korea University Ansan Hospital between January 2003 and December 2004. The mean age was 64.3 ± 15.2 years and 60.1% were male. Based on MRI/MRA finding, intracranial artery stenosis was defined and WMLs were rated.Results: Sixty-one percent of patients had intracranial artery stenosis on brain MRA. We found significant difference in age and carotid IMT between intracranial artery stenosis group and nonstenosis group. With increasing number of plaques in the carotid artery the severity of WMLs increased (p < 0.005). The carotid IMT was 0.54 ± 0.21 mm for nonstenosis group and 0.88 ± 0.24 mm for stenosis group (p < 0.001). The age and carotid IMT were associated with intracranial stenosis independently on multivariate logistic regression test.Conclusions: This study suggest that certain pathogenetic mechanisms are involved in the association with carotid IMT, intracranial artery stenosis and WMLs. Objectives: Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery serves as a marker of general atherosclerosis and the association of IMT with ischemic stroke has been documented. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of IMT, intracranial artery stenosis and cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs). Methods: We collected data of B-mode ultrasound graphic measurements of carotid IMT and brain MRI and MRA from 712 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to Korea University Ansan Hospital between January 2003 and December 2004. The mean age was 64.3 ± 15.2 years and 60.1% were male. Based on MRI/MRA finding, intracranial artery stenosis was defined and WMLs were rated. Results: Sixty-one percent of patients had intracranial artery stenosis on brain MRA. We found significant difference in age and carotid IMT between intracranial artery stenosis group and nonstenosis group. With increasing number of plaques in the carotid artery the severity of WMLs increased (p < 0.005). The carotid IMT was 0.54 ± 0.21 mm for nonstenosis group and 0.88 ± 0.24 mm for stenosis group (p < 0.001). The age and carotid IMT were associated with intracranial stenosis independently on multivariate logistic regression test. Conclusions: This study suggest that certain pathogenetic mechanisms are involved in the association with carotid IMT, intracranial artery stenosis and WMLs.