A Correlational Study on Cerebral Microbleeds and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between cerebral microbleeds and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with ischemic stroke.

Subjects and methods: Patients with ischemic stroke treated in a hospital in China from 2016 to 2017 were enrolled in the study. Based on the results from susceptibility-weighted imaging, the patients were divided into cerebral microbleed and noncerebral microbleed groups. The degree of carotid atherosclerosis was assessed with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMB) and Crouse score of carotid plaque. The details of patients' demographic information, cerebrovascular disease-related risk factors, carotid atherosclerosis indices, cerebral microbleed distribution, and grading were recorded, compared, and analyzed.

Results: Logistic regression analysis of the 198 patients showed that CIMB and Crouse score were significantly correlated with the occurrence of cerebral microbleeds. The CIMB thickening group (P = .03) and the plaque group (P = .01) were more susceptible to cerebral microbleeds. In the distribution of cerebral microbleed sites, Crouse scores were the highest in the mixed group and showed a statistically significant difference (P < .01). As the degree of carotid atherosclerosis increased, the average number of cerebral microbleeds also increased (P < .01). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the carotid atherosclerosis indices showed a statistically significant difference. The CIMB value combined with the Crouse score was the best indicator (P < .01).

Conclusion: In patients with ischemic stroke, cerebral microbleeds are closely related to carotid atherosclerosis. Active control of carotid atherosclerosis is important to prevent cerebral microbleeds in patients with ischemic stroke.

Keywords: Cerebral microbleeds; Crouse score; carotid atherosclerosis; carotid intima-media thickness; ischemic stroke.