Changes of the structure and function of carotid artery in cerebral infarction patients

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the structure and function of carotid artery and cerebral infarction.Methods: 56 patients with cerebral infarction and 50 controls were enrolled into this study.2-dimentional ultrasound was used to observe the diastolic intima-media thickness(IMT).The diameter of common carotid artery in systolic and diastolic period was measured and the carotid stiffness and distensibility were calculated.Results: The number of plaques,the incidence rate of lower-echo plaques were significantly higher in the cerebral infarction group than those in the control group(P0.05).The mean IMT,systolic diameter(Ds) and diastolic diameter(Dd) were significantly larger in the cerebral infarction group than those in the control group(P0.001).There were lower distensibility and higher stiffness index in cerebral infarction group(P0.001).Conclusion: IMT,number and echo of plaques combined with the distensibility and stiffness index can provide the characters of structure and functional changes of carotid artery.Those indices can evaluate carotid artery atherosclerosis and predict the event of cerebrovascular disease.