Frequency of Carotid Artery Stenosis in Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Stroke continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. According to the world health organization, 15 million people suffer stroke worldwide annually. Despite maximal medical management, carotid artery atherosclerosis leading to stenosis continues to portend a poor prognosis. Conservative management frequently fails in this disease, leaving patients at high risk for cerebral infarction and death. Objective: To determine the frequency of carotid artery stenosis in patients with stroke using Doppler Ultrasonography. Study design: cross-sectional analytical study. Setting: outpatient and emergency department of Medical Unit-I, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Duration of study: Study was carried out over a period of seven months from 01-03 2014 to 30-09-2014. Subjects and methods: A total of 100 cases were included in this study. Every patient was undergone a list of investigation including lipid profile, electrocardiography (ECG), X-ray chest (PA), computed tomography (CT) scan brain and echocardiography to rule out any cardiac source of embolism. Results: Out of 100 cases, 12 patients (12%) were between 18-40 years old, 34 patients (34%) were 41-60 years of age while 54 patients (54%) were 61-80 years old. Mean age of the patients was 51.9±5.1. Regarding gender distribution, 62 patients (62%) were male and 38 patients (38%) were female. Of 100 patients, 56 patients (56%) had carotid stenosis on color Doppler Ultrasonography of carotid arteries. 29 patients (51.8%) had mild stenosis, 17 patients (30.3%) had moderate stenosis and 10 patients (17.9%) severe stenosis. Conclusion: It is concluded that carotid artery stenosis is strongly associated with ischemic stroke. Doppler studies are recommended for the high risk patients for the primary as well as secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.