Effect of Collateral Circulation on Cerebral Infarction in Patients with Severe Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis or Occlusion

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the status of collateral circulation and cerebral infarction in patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion.Methods: Fifty-seven patients with internal carotid artery stenosis ≥70% were divided into symptomatic group(n=42) and asymptomatic group(n=15).The relationship between collateral circulation and cerebral infarction was analyzed by observing the integrity of the circle of Willis and other collateral pathways using TCD.Results: There were significant differences in the rate of descend of MVMCAbetween the two groups(P0.01).The patency of the Willis circle in the symptomatic group was less than that in the asymptomatic group(P0.01).There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the opening of the Ophthalmic artery.New infarction lesions were detected in all the patients of the symptomatic group and in 5 patients of the asymptomatic group.Conclusion: In patients with internal carotid artery stenosis or occlusion,the cerebral infarction and its type are associated with the integrity of collateral pathways.