A Hospital Based Study On Intracranial Atherosclerosis- Correlation With Extracranial Atherosclerosis And Risk Factors In North India

Intracranial Atherosclerosis In Stroke

Abstract

Background: The burden of intracranial atherosclerosis has been reported to be high in Asian population. Intracranial atherosclerosis besides being a common cause of stroke in many populations, it’s not being studied well. Therefore we planned to conduct a study in stroke patients in our hospital to diagnose intracranial atherosclerotic disease using TCD and correlate with carotid artery disease and its risk factors. Materials & Methods: We enrolled all patients presenting with anterior circulation and lacunar stroke after talking informed consent. Institutional ethical clearance was taken for the same. Patients with posterior circulation stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, cardioembolic stroke and critically ill patients were excluded. Results: 55 patients were enrolled for the study, out of which 21 (38.2%) were female patients and 34 (61.8%) were male patients. Hypertension, diabetes, CAD, past stroke, substance abuse was found to be common risk factors. Intracranial atherosclerosis was found in 54.5 % patients, with involvement of ACA being in 21 (38.2%) patients and MCA in 16(29.1%). Conclusion: Intracranial atherosclerosis was found in more patients as compared to extracranial atherosclerosis. ACA was the most prevalent site of stenosis, followed by MCA which was found to be related with ICA stenosis. [Singla M Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(2):34-39]