Correlative Study on Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Artery in Cerebral Infarction by Colour Doppler Ultrasound

Objective To examine the intima-media thickness of carotid artery in cerebral infarction by colour Doppler ultrasound, and investigate the risk factors of the carotid artery atherosclerosis and the relation to carotid atherosclerosis with cerebral infarction. Methods Using the colour doppler ultrasonic technique, the carotid intima-medial thickness, plaques were measured in 113 cases of cerebral infarction, and compared with 107 cases in the control group. Results Patients with cerebral infarction had significantly higher incidence of carotid arteriosclerosis than the control group, with significant difference (P 0.01). Carotid plaque increased progressively with age, diabetes, high blood pressure (P 0.01). It was correlated to blood fibrinogen level and blood lipid level(P 0.05). The two groups had no statistical difference in gender, smoking and drinking. The incidence of carotid plaque in cerebral infarction group was significantly higher (P 0.01) Conclusions Cerebral infarction occurrence is closely associated with cerebral infarction; the intima-media thickness of carotid artery and plaques are the result of the interaction of many factors, carotid atherosclerosis is an important risk factor for cerebral infarction.