The correlation between inflammation and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective To investigate the correlation between inflammation and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in patients with cerebral infarction,and the effect intensity of different risk factors on CAS.Methods The carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)was measured by color Doppler ultrasonography in 556 patients with cerebral infarction,according to the results of ultrasonography,the patients were divided into four groups,normal group(IMT≤ 0.9 mm),arterial sclerosis group(0.9 mm IMT ≤ 1.5 mm),plaque group(IMT1.5 mm)and stenosis group(stenosis of lumina ≥30%).The leukocyte,plasma fibrinogen and other biochemical markers were detected for all patients.The blood pressure was measured too.Results There were significant differences in the age,fibrinogen,leukocyte and systolic blood pressure among the four groups.The logistic regression showed that all the factors had significant influence on CAS.The inflammation markers,fibrinogen and leukocyte played more important role than the other risk factors.Conclusion In the patients with cerebral infarction,inflammation is significantly correlated with CAS.