A study on carotid intima-media thickness and cerebral haemodynamics and their correlation to stroke

Objective To explore the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) and brain blood flow and their correlation to cerebral apoplexy.Methods Using color doppler ultrasound and transcranial color doppler,200 cases of patients with cerebral apoplexy risk factors were measured for carotid IMT and brain blood flow mechanics index,to compare to the control group of 200 healthy individuals.The measurements were taken once a year,for three years,and the results were presented as the averages over the three years,during which the incidences of stroke were also recorded in both patient and control groups.Results (1)IMT,IMT/D,Vs/Vd,PI and RI of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P0.01),while Vd of the patient group was lower than that of the healthy group(P0.01).(2)The incidences of cerebral apoplexy in the patient group over the 3 years were 88%,64%,17%,10%,respectively,while the control group was only 4%(P0.01).(3)Carotid IMT and middlle cerebral artery Vd had significant negative correlation(r=-0.70,P0.01),while carotid IMT and Vs/Vd,PI,RI had a significant positive correlation(r=0.71,0.69,0.66,P0.01).Moreover,IMT/D and middle cerebral artery Vd had significant negative correlation(r=-0.65,P0.01),while IMT/D and Vs/Vd,PI,RI were positively correlated(r=0.66,0.64,0.67,P0.01).(4)Incidence of stroke had a positive correlation with IMT and IMT/D(r=0.89,r=0.76,P0.01),a positive correlation with Vs/Vd,PI and RI(r=0.56,r=0.66,r=0.53,P0.01),and a negative correlation with Vd(r=-0.41,P0.01).Conclusions It is of clinical significance to measure internal carotid IMT and cerebral haemodynamics for predicting the occurrence of cerebral apoplexy.