The Study Of The Relationship Between Progressive Ischemic Stroke And Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis

According to recent epidemiological data [5], cerebrovascul- ar disease is the second cause of death in China. In many cities, it has become the first cause of death. A lot of survivors have disabilities. As a type of cerebral infarction,the progressive ischemic stroke results in progressive neurological disorder, and finally can cause severe neurological impairment, disability and mortality. Many studies have shown that carotid atherosclerosis is an important risk factor and cause of ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and progressive ischemic stroke by examining the neck vessels of progressive and non-progressive ischemic stroke patients using Color Doppler Ultrasound.The detailed methods are as following. From June 2010 to December 2010, 50 progressive ischemic stroke patients (Group A) and 50 non-progressive ischemic stroke patients (Group B) in the First Hospital of Jilin University were selected for the study. The common and internal carotid arteries of the patients were examined by Color Doppler Ultrasound. The location and nature of carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and the extent of carotid atherosclerosis and stenosis were diagnosed and cross-referenced to determine the similarities and differences in processing and non-processing ischemic stroke patients.In our studies,①Of all the patients,91% have carotid artery atherosclerosis.②In group A, 129 carotid atherosclerotic plaques were diagnosed, 13.95%,71.32% and 14.73% of which occurred in common carotid artery, carotid bifurcation and internal carotid artery, respectively. In group B, 126 carotid atherosclerotic plaques were diagnosed, 15%,70% and 15% of which occurred in common carotid artery, carotid bifurcation and internal carotid artery, respectively. Plaques typically form at carotid artery bifurcation. There is no significant difference between the two groups, P>0.05.③In group A, there are 2 cases without carotid artery atherosclerosis, 12 cases with stable plaques and 36 cases with unstable plaques; while in group B, there are 7 cases without carotid artery atherosclerosis, 27 cases with stable plaques and 16 cases with unstable plaques. Unstable plaques occur more in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients, while non-carotid artery atherosclerosis and stable plaques occur more in non-progressive than in progressive ischemic stroke patients, P<0.05.④In the 91 cases with carotid artery atherosclerosis, 30 cases, 8 cases in group A and 22 cases in group B, have mild carotid atherosclerosis; 36 cases, 22 cases in group A and 14 cases in group B, have moderate carotid atherosclerosis; and 25 cases, 18 cases in group A and 7 cases in group B, have severe carotid atherosclerosis. Severe carotid atherosclerosis occurs significantly more in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients, P<0.05.⑤In the 91 cases with carotid artery atherosclerosis, 36 cases, 13 cases in group A and 23 cases in group B, have mild carotid stenosis; 41 cases, 23 cases in group A and 18 cases in group B, have moderate carotid stenosis; and 14 cases, 12 cases in group A and 2 cases in group B, have severe carotid stenosis. Severe carotid stenosis occurs significantly more in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients, P<0.05.We concluded from this study,①Carotid atherosclerotic plaques typically form at carotid artery bifurcation in both progressive and non-progressive ischemic stroke patients.②Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are closely related to progressive ischemic stroke, it might be an independent risk factor leading to early progress in cerebral infarction.③ Severe carotid artery atherosclerosis and stenosis occur significantly more in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients, and they are risk factors for progressive ischemic stroke.In this study, we determined the relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and processing ischemic stroke by investigating multiple factors. The differences of age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and drinking were exluded. Our study provides reference for prevention and treatment of processing ischemic stroke.