Carotid artery calcification is associated with deep cerebral microbleeds.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to determine the association between arterial calcification and cerebral microbleeds (CMB) relative to their distribution.


METHODS
We identified 834 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack who underwent CT angiography and susceptibility-weighted imaging.


RESULTS
Internal carotid artery (ICA) calcification and CMB were found in 660 patients (79.1%) and 335 patients (40.2%), respectively. ICA calcification was independently associated with CMB of any location (odds ratio, OR, 2.86, 95% CI 2.01-4.08, p < 0.0001). The association between calcification and deep CMB was stronger (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.39-5.14, p < 0.0001). However, ICA calcification was not associated with CMB in a strictly lobar area.


CONCLUSIONS
ICA calcification is an independent risk factor for deep CMB but not for a strictly lobar CMB. Our findings might contribute to the elucidation of the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease.
Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Pil-Wook
PW
Chung
Kwang-Yeol
KY
Park
Jeong-Min
JM
Kim
Dong-Woo
DW
Shin
Sam-Yeol
SY
Ha
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed