Digital subtraction angiography in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases: an analysis of 304 cases

Objective To investigate the angiographic characteristics of cerebral arterial stenosis or occlusion in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular diseases (ICVD). Methods Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings in 304 patients with ICVD were retrospectively analyzed. Of 304 cases, transient ischemic attack was seen in 188 cases (TIA group) and cerebral infarction in 116 cases (cerebral infarction group). All the patients were examined by cerebral DSA. The angiographs were reviewed by experienced physicians. When any cerebral arterial stenosis or occlusion was demonstrated, its severity degree, location, guilty artery with its length were identified and measured. Results Of 304 cases with ICVD, cerebral arterial stenosis or occlusion was found in 227 cases (74.7%), amidst which the guilty artery could be identified in 193 cases (85.0%). The guilty arteries included purely extracranial artery (n = 104, 53.9%), purely intracranial artery(n = 70, 36.3%) and extra-together with intra-cranial artery(n = 19, 9.8%). The occurrence of extracranial posterior circulation guilty artery was more frequently seen in TIA group than in cerebral infarction group, while the occurrence of intracranial anterior circulation guilty artery was more frequently seen in cerebral infarction group. No significant difference in the length and severity of guilty artery stenosis existed between TIA group and cerebral infarction group (P 0.05). Conclusion Cervicocranial artery stenosis or occlusion is more often seen in ICVD patients with severe symptoms. Both the severity and length of the guilty artery stenosis bear no relationship to the severity of the patient’s symptoms.