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Ultrasound, atherosclerosis and stroke at a young age: a cross‐sectional long‐term follow‐up in western Norway
Author(s) -
WajeAndreassen U.,
Naess H.,
Thomassen L.,
Eide G. E.,
Meijer R.,
Vedeler C. A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02118.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cross sectional study , stroke (engine) , diabetes mellitus , intima media thickness , ischaemic stroke , cardiology , young adult , ultrasonography , carotid arteries , surgery , ischemia , endocrinology , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Background and purpose: 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 ≥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. Discussion: IMT changes confirm increased vascular morbidity in patients who suffered ischaemic stroke at a young age.