Relationship between progressive ischemic stroke and carotid artery atherosclerosis

Objective To explore the relationship between carotid artery atherosclerosis and progressive ischemic stroke.Methods From June 2010 to December 2010,50 progressive ischemic stroke patients(Group A) and 50 non-progressive ischemic stroke patients(Group B) in the First Hospital of Jilin University were selected for the study.The common and internal carotid arteries of the patients were examined by color Doppler ultrasound.Results Carotid atherosclerotic plaques typically formed at carotid artery bifurcation.There was no significant difference between the two groups,P0.05.In group A,unstable plaques occured more frequently than in group B,P0.05.Severe carotid atherosclerosis was more in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients,P0.05.Severe carotid stenosis occured more frequently in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients,P0.05.Conclusion Carotid atherosclerotic plaques typically form at carotid artery bifurcation in both progressive and non-progressive ischemic stroke patients.Unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques are closely related to progressive ischemic stroke,and might be an important risk factor leading to early progress in cerebral infarction.Severe carotid artery atherosclerosis and stenosis are more significantly in progressive than in non-progressive ischemic stroke patients,and they are risk factors for progressive ischemic stroke.