title: Extracranial carotid artery stenosis: prevalence and associated risk factors in elderly stroke patients.
abstract: The degree of arterial stenosis in both the right and left extracranial (common and internal) carotid arteries (ECAS) was assessed in 118 elderly (65 years and older; male 66) stroke patients by a Duplex Pulsed Wave ultrasound system (ATL 500). Of these, 33 (28%) had severe stenosis (75-100%), 16 (14%) had moderate stenosis (30-74%) and 69 (58%) had no or minimal stenosis (0-29%). Overall, 34% (n = 40) of strokes were associated with moderate or severe stenosis in the ipsilateral extracranial carotid artery. Multivariate logistical regression analysis showed a significant (P less than 0.05) positive correlation between ECAS (as assessed in either artery) and ischaemic heart disease, systolic blood pressure and male sex (multiple correlation coefficient, r = 0.240). The results were similar when the analysis was repeated for ECAS in the 'clinically significant' (maximal stenosis ipsilateral to the stroke) arteries only (multiple correlation coefficient, r = 0.276). The relationships, however, were weak, suggesting that other factors not identified in this study are more important aetiological factors for extracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Admani
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mangion
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014463:Ultrasonography