Korean J Stroke.  2011 Dec;13(3):129-133. 10.5853/kjs.2011.13.3.129.

Association between Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness and Stroke Risk Factors in Ischemic Stroke

• Kim K
• Na JY

• KMID: 1996983
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5853/kjs.2011.13.3.129

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is an accepted sonographic marker of early atherosclerosis, and increased IMT represents a risk of ischemic stroke. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between common carotid artery IMT and stroke risk factors in patients with ischemic stroke.
METHODS
Subjects were 381 patients with acute ischemic stroke. High resolution B-mode ultrasonography was performed to measure IMT at common carotid artery. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the independent factors related to common carotid artery IMT.
RESULTS
The variables that strongly predicted an increase in the common carotid artery IMT were age (P <0.001) and diabetes mellitus (P <0.001).
CONCLUSION
Increased common carotid artery IMT is independently associated with age and diabetes mellitus in patients with ischemic stroke.

Keyword

Carotid artery intima-media thickness; Stroke risk factor; Ischemic stroke

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Artery, Common
Diabetes Mellitus
Humans
Risk Factors
Stroke