The incidence and ultrasound characterization of carotid atherosclerosis in ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Objective To evaluate the significance of the carotid atherosclerosis plaque detected and characterized by ultrasound in ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods Carotid arteries of 441 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease were examined with two dimensional and Doppler ultrasound. The echogenicity of the atherosclerosis plaque was studied and compared among transient ischemic attack (TIA), atherothrombotic infarction (AI) and lacunar infarction (LI). Results The percents of atherosclerosis plaque in patients with TIA and AI were 66.5% and 71.5% respectively, both higher than that of LI. The percents of hypoechoic and heterogeneous plaques were also high in patients with TIA and AI. Conclusion Carotid atherosclerosis is significantly relative with TIA and AI. Ultrasonography is useful in the risk assessment for TIA and AI.