J Cardiovasc Ultrasound.  2013 Mar;21(1):12-17. 10.4250/jcu.2013.21.1.12.

Differences of Aortic Stiffness and Aortic Intima-Media Thickness According to the Type of Initial Presentation in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

• Yoon HJ
• Kim KH
• Lee SH
• Yim YR
• Lee KJ
• Park KH
• Sim DS
• Yoon NS
• Hong YJ
• Park HW
• Kim JH
• Ahn Y
• Jeong MH
• Cho JG
• Park JC

• KMID: 1428371
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4250/jcu.2013.21.1.12

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Aortic stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT) are known to be associated with ischemic stroke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences of aortic stiffness and IMT between cerebral infarction (CI) and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
METHODS
A total of 500 patients with acute stroke were divided into 2 groups: the TIA group (n = 230, 62.4 +/- 12 years, 144 males) versus CI group (n = 270, 63.4 +/- 11 years, 181 males). Aortic stiffness index and IMT, as well as conventional cardiovascular risk factors, were compared.
RESULTS
The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were significantly higher, and left atrial volume and E/E' were significantly elevated in the CI group than in the TIA group. Carotid IMT was significantly thicker in the CI group than in the TIA group. Aortic stiffness index beta was significantly higher (7.99 +/- 2.70 vs. 7.02 +/- 4.30, p = 0.043) and aortic IMT was significantly thicker (1.53 +/- 0.41 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.39 mm, p = 0.040) in the CI group than in the TIA group. Aortic stiffness index beta was significantly correlated with the IMT of the aorta (r = 0.279, p = 0.014), right (r = 412, p < 0.001) and left carotid artery (r = 441, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Aortic stiffness index beta and IMT were significantly higher in patients with CI than TIA. The result of the present study suggested that CI is associated with more advanced degree of atherosclerotic and arteriosclerotic process than TIA.

Keyword

Aorta; Stiffness; Stroke

MeSH Terms

Aorta
Carotid Arteries
Cerebral Infarction
Dyslipidemias
Humans
Hypertension
Ischemic Attack, Transient
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Stroke
Vascular Stiffness

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Correlations between aortic stiffness index β and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid and descending thoracic aorta. CCA: common carotid artery.

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