Objective: To determine the frequency and severity of carotid artery stenosis among patients with ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on 195 patients with ischemic stroke from February 26, to August 26, 2015 at Department of Medicine and Neurology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. The sample included the patients with ischemic stroke diagnosed with MRI brain and bilateral carotid artery stenosis. Carotid artery stenosis was categorized as either present or absent.
Results: Out of 195 patients, 117 (60%) were males and 78 (40%) were females. One hundred and twenty four (63.5%) were found to have carotid artery stenosis. All of them were on the ipsilateral side corresponding to the ischemic lesion while 53 (42.7%) of these patients had stenosis on the contra lateral side as well. 33.8% had mild stenosis, 45.1% moderate, and only 20.9% had severe stenosis.
Conclusion: The frequency and severity of carotid artery stenosis in ischemic strokes is high as compared to that found in the previous available studies.
Key words: Carotid artery stenosis, stroke, Ischemia
|
