Ultrasound, atherosclerosis and stroke at a young age: a cross-sectional long-term follow-up in western Norway.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have shown significantly higher mortality and vascular morbidity amongst patients with ischaemic stroke onset at a young age compared with controls after a mean observation time of more than 11 years.


METHODS
In the present cross-sectional study, we measured the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in 140 (75%) of 187 survivors of ischaemic stroke after a mean observation time of 11.9 years. Their mean age when included was 41.1 years. IMT was measured by B-mode ultrasonography.


RESULTS
Total maximum IMT <1.0 mm was found in 34 (24%) patients, [1.0-1.2 mm) in 29 (21%) patients, [1.2-1.5 mm) in 29 (21%) patients and >or=1.5 mm in 48 (34%) patients. Increasing total maximum IMT was related to increasing age, male gender, recurrent ischaemic stroke, coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral atherosclerosis, smoking, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.


CONCLUSIONS
IMT changes confirm increased vascular morbidity in patients who suffered ischaemic stroke at a young age.
Waje-Andreassen
U
U
Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. uwan@helse-bergen.no
Naess
H
H
Thomassen
L
L
Eide
G E
GE
Meijer
R
R
Vedeler
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography