Prevalence and Risk Factors Comparison of Anterior and Posterior Intracranial Arterial Stenosis

The prevalence and risk factors of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) located in the anterior circulation (AC) and posterior circulation (PC) has been scarcely noted in the general population. We aimed to determine ICAS prevalence and risk factor profile of AC and PC in a representative population. Data were from the China Hypertension Survey of Beijing. In total, 4800 people aged 35 years or older were enrolled in this subsurvey for ICAS, and 3954 participants were eligible for analysis. ICAS was assessed by transcranial Doppler. The prevalence of ICAS in AC was much greater than that in PC (11.9% vs. 4.2%), and subjects with ICAS in PC were 3.9 years older than those with ICAS in AC. Multivariable logistics regression showed that the odds of hypertension and diabetes increased by 79% (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.40–2.27) and 35% (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.04–1.75) in those with AC vascular lesions and by 3.35 times (OR: 3.35, 95% CI: 2.49–4.50) and 71% (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.19–2.46) in those with PC vascular lesions compared with those without vascular lesions. Most modifiable vascular risk factors for ICAS appeared to exert similar magnitudes of risk for PC to AC lesions.

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Intracranial arterial stenosis in Caucasian versus Chinese patients with TIA and minor stroke: two contemporaneous cohorts and a systematic review

Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry ◽

10.1136/jnnp-2020-325630 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jnnp-2020-325630

Author(s):

Xinyi Leng ◽

Robert Hurford ◽

Xueyan Feng ◽

Ka Lung Chan ◽

Frank J Wolters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Vascular Risk Factor ◽

Vascular Risk Factors ◽

Arterial Stenosis ◽

Chinese Patients ◽

Minor Stroke ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Intracranial Arterial Stenosis ◽

Different Populations

BackgroundIntracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is an important cause of stroke worldwide. Separate reports in Caucasians and Asians with stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) have suggested lower ICAS prevalence in Caucasians, but there has been no direct comparisons of the two ethnic groups with the same criteria to define ICAS.MethodsAcute minor stroke or TIA patients in two cohorts respectively recruiting patients in Oxford (2011–2018, predominantly Caucasians) and Hong Kong (2011–2015, predominantly Chinese) were compared. ICAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis/occlusion in any major intracranial artery in MR/CT angiography. Prevalence, distribution and risk factors of ICAS were compared between the two cohorts. We also systematically reviewed literature on ICAS prevalence in stroke/TIA patients in different populations.ResultsAmong 1287 patients from Oxford and 691 from Hong Kong (mean age 69 vs 66), ICAS prevalence was higher in Chinese than in Caucasians (43.0% vs 20.0%; OR 3.02; 95% CI 2.47 to 3.70; p<0.001), independent of age (age-adjusted OR 3.73; 95% CI 3.00 to 4.63; p<0.001) and vascular risk factors (multivariable-adjusted OR 3.21; 95% CI 2.56 to 4.02; p<0.001). This ethnic difference was greater (p interaction=0.005) at age <70 years (OR 5.33; 95% CI 3.79 to 7.50; p<0.001) than at ≥70 years (OR 2.81; 95% CI 2.11 to 3.74; p<0.001). ICAS prevalence increased with age and with vascular risk factors in both cohorts, with equivalent prevalence in Chinese aged <60 years and Caucasians aged ≥80, and in Chinese with no vascular risk factor and Caucasians with two vascular risk factors. ICAS locations also differed between Chinese and Caucasian patients.ConclusionsChinese are more susceptible to ICAS than Caucasians, with an earlier onset age and a higher prevalence, independent of vascular risk factors.

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Different risk factors in identical features of intracranial atherosclerosis plaques in the posterior and anterior circulation in high-resolution MRI

Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders ◽

10.1177/1756286420909991 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 175628642090999 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ziqi Xu ◽

Mingyao Li ◽

Jinhao Lyu ◽

Zhikai Hou ◽

Jianfeng He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

High Resolution ◽

High Volume ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Unique Identifier ◽

Strong Enhancement ◽

Intraplaque Haemorrhage ◽

Atherosclerotic Stenosis ◽

Diffuse Distribution

Background: We constructed a high-volume registry to identify whether risk factors of intracranial atherosclerotic plaque (ICAP) features differ in the posterior and anterior circulation in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) investigated by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI). Methods: The registry was constructed for patients with symptomatic ICAS who underwent HRMRI for culprit plaques. ICAP-vulnerable features included positive remodelling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque haemorrhage and strong enhancement. Results: We analysed risk factors for the same ICAP features between the posterior and anterior circulation in data of 97 patients in the posterior circulation and 105 patients in the anterior circulation ICAPs. In patients with diffuse distribution, the probability of being female were lower [odds ratio (OR):0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.02–0.34; p = 0.001] and having diabetes mellitus was higher (OR: 7.75; 95% CI:1.75–34.39; p = 0.007) in posterior circulation patients. In patients with strong enhancement, the probability of having diabetes was higher in posterior circulation patients (OR:6.71; 95% CI:1.37–32.81; p = 0.019). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate more risk factors in the posterior than in the anterior circulation in patients with the same ICAP-vulnerable features, highlighting the need for stratification of risk factors in symptomatic ICAPs. Trial Registration: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02705599.

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Abstract TP222: Frequency of Intracranial Arterial Imaging and its Yield in Consecutive Patients with Non-lacunar Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke: ESUS Global Registry

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.tp222 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Kanjana S Perera ◽

Balakumar Swaminathan ◽

Jackie Bosch ◽

Robert G Hart ◽

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Latin American ◽

Vascular Risk Factors ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Stroke Population ◽

Atherosclerotic Stenosis ◽

Index Stroke ◽

Global Registry ◽

Arterial Imaging

Background: Atherosclerotic stenosis of large IC arteries is an important cause of stroke. The prevalence of ICS in stroke population differs by ethnicity.We report the frequency of ICS among a global sample of patients with non-lacunar cryptogenic ischemic stroke (NLCIS) who did not have another identifiable cause for stroke i.e. cardioembolic, extracranial LAD, or other specific causes. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the prevalence rates of ICS will differ according to global regions. Methods: Consecutive patients with recent ischemic stroke were retrospectively surveyed at 19 stroke centers in 19 countries to identify the frequency of IC imaging and its yield. Countries were grouped by World Bank regions. ICS was considered to be significant if there was >50% stenosis in the arteries proximal to the index stroke evidenced by MRA, CTA or TCD. Results: We identified a total of 2145 consecutive ischemic stroke patients among which 475 had NLCIS. IC arterial imaging was carried-out,on average, in 87% of patients. Of these 414 patients, 15% had stenosis proximal to the area of brain ischemia. The frequency of ICS among NLCIS patients was highest in East Asia (27%) and lowest in Pacific (4%). Patients with ICS in Latin America were significantly younger when compared to other 4 regions. Conclusion: IC arterial imaging is carried out in majority of stroke centers in patients with NLCIS, among whom the fraction of IS associated with ICS is substantial throughout the world, averaging about 15%. MRA / CTA had a higher yield than TCD. On average these patients have traditional vascular risk factors except for Latin American patients who are significantly younger with no vascular risk factors.

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Abstract 82: Differences Between Caucasians and Asians in Intracranial Arterial Stenosis Among TIA and Minor Stroke Patients: Comparisons of Two Contemporary Cohorts

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.82 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Xinyi Leng ◽

Robert Hurford ◽

Xueyan Feng ◽

Ka Lung Chan ◽

Linxin Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Ct Angiography ◽

Interobserver Agreement ◽

Arterial Stenosis ◽

Minor Stroke ◽

Intracranial Arterial Stenosis ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Stroke Registry ◽

The Difference ◽

Ischemic Attack

Background: Despite numerous reports indicating ethnic difference in intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) between Caucasians and Asians, there has been no direct comparison in disease burden and clinical correlates of ICAS in stroke patients in the two populations with the same criteria to define ICAS. Methods: Acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack patients who received cerebral MR/CT angiography exam in two cohorts were analyzed: Oxford Vascular Study (OXVASC, 2011-2018) with predominantly Caucasians, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) stroke registry (2011-2015) with predominantly Chinese. ICAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis in any major intracranial artery in MR/CT angiography. Interobserver agreement between 2 investigators for presence of ICAS was assessed in 50 cases with Cohen’s kappa. We compared the burden and risk factors of ICAS in the two cohorts. Results: Overall, 1,287 patients from OXVASC (mean age 69 years) and 640 from the CUHK cohort (mean age 66 years) were analyzed. Interobserver agreement for presence of ICAS was good (kappa=0.82). Prevalence of ICAS was significantly higher in Chinese than in Caucasians: 43.6% in the CUHK cohort versus 20.0% in OXVASC (crude OR 3.10; age-adjusted OR 3.81, 95% CI 3.06-4.75; p<0.001). Mean ages of patients with ICAS in the two cohorts were 75 and 68 years, respectively. The difference between Caucasians and Chinese in ICAS prevalence was smaller in those aged ≥70 years (28.1% versus 51.9%) than those <70 years (9.8% versus 38.0%) (Figure). ICAS shared similar risk factors in the two cohorts, including older age, and history of hypertension and diabetes. Conclusions: Chinese are more susceptible to ICAS, with an earlier onset age than Caucasians, but the ICAS burden in Caucasians was higher than previously estimated, especially in older patients.

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Abstract T P11: What Clinical Factors Predict An Intracranial Arterial Stenosis Responsible For An Intracranial Larger Artery Occlusion Treated By Endovascular Therapy?

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.46.suppl_1.tp11 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Jin Soo Lee ◽

Ji Man Hong ◽

Kyu Sun Lee ◽

Hong Il Suh ◽

Andrew M Demchuk

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Cerebral Angiography ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Total Cholesterol Level ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Arterial Stenosis ◽

Intracranial Arterial Stenosis ◽

Focal Stenosis

Objectives: In Asian countries where intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is a common etiology regarding large artery intracranial occlusions in stroke. We sought to identify any clinical, laboratory and baseline imaging variables that may predict ICAS prior to endovascular treatment compared with angiographically-defined embolism (ADE). Methods: Patients were included if they had large cerebral artery occlusion in stroke on CT angiography and undertook transfemoral cerebral angiography, and if their onset to puncture time was within 8 hours. We defined ICAS and ADE by transfemoral cerebral angiography. ICAS was defined as fixed significant (> 50%) focal stenosis in the occlusion site, which could be seen in the final angiography or during the procedure of endovascular treatment. ADE was defined by no focal stenosis was evident after some recanalization achieved. Patients were excluded if their cause of stroke was associated or combined with other etiologies. Results: Finally, a total of 157 patients were included for this study. Table shows comparisons of clinical laboratory and imaging characteristics between ICAS and ADE groups. Patients in ICAS group were younger and male-predominant than in those in ADE group. Dyslipidemia and smokers were more frequent in ICAS group. Total cholesterol level was higher in ICAS group than in ADE group. Compared to ADE an ICAS was much more common in the posterior circulation 11/30 versus only 12/127 in the anterior circulation (p<0.001). Independent predictors of ICAS on multivariable analysis were male gender (odds ratio 6.34 [95% CI, 1.23-32.85], p=0.028), posterior circulation involvement (5.37 [1.62-17.82], p=0.006) and total cholesterol level (1.02 [1.004-1.033], p=0.012). Conclusion: The neurointerventionalist should prepare for the possibility of ICAS when performing endovascular treatment especially with posterior circulation occlusions in a Korean population.

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Abstract W P121: Patterns Of Vessel Involvement In Patients With Intracranial Atherosclerosis Across Ages

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.46.suppl_1.wp121 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Tamara Strohm ◽

Russell Cerejo ◽

Jason Mathew ◽

Irene Katzan ◽

Ken Uchino

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Patients ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vascular Risk Factors ◽

Posterior Circulation ◽

Intracranial Stenosis ◽

Intracranial Atherosclerosis ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Basilar Arteries ◽

Vessel Involvement

Introduction: Intracranial atherosclerosis has been well studied in the aging population, much less is known about atherosclerotic stenosis in the young. Clinicians seek to control traditional vascular risk factors in this population, but differences in patterns of stenosis may call for varied treatment approaches. This study sought to compare age to the distribution of vessel involvement in patients with moderate-severe intracranial stenosis. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with intracranial stenosis seen in the stroke clinic of a tertiary center from 2008-2013. Inclusion criteria were moderate-severe intracranial stenosis clinically felt to be due to atherosclerosis with ≥3 traditional vascular risk factors. Patients with other mechanisms of intracranial stenosis were excluded. Stenosis location and severity were based on cerebral angiography, CTA, or MRA. Patients were divided into young (< 50 yr), middle-age (51-64 yr), or older (≥ 65 yr). All 69 patients ≤50 yr were included; a random sample of 69 patients > 50 were selected for this analysis. Results: There were similar rates of vascular risk factors except HTN, which was less common in the young group (81.2% young, 100% middle, 96.8% older, p=0.0006). The location of stenoses varied by age category. Older patients had more posterior circulation involvement compared to the younger groups (p = 0.046), with more frequent involvement of vertebral and basilar arteries (p = 0.012) (Table). The occurrence of stenosis in the distal ICA and MCA vessels were similar among age groups. The frequency of ACA stenosis was highest in the young category (p = 0.026). Conclusion: There are differences in anatomic locations of presumed intracranial atherosclerosis across age groups with older patients (> 65 yrs) having a higher rate of posterior circulation disease. This suggests potential differences in pathophysiological mechanisms. These findings warrant further investigation.

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Abstract WP116: Patterns of Vascular Calcification in Young Patients With Intracranial Stenosis

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.47.suppl_1.wp116 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Tamara Strohm ◽

Irene Katzan ◽

Ken Uchino

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Vascular Calcification ◽

Young Patients ◽

Vascular Risk Factors ◽

Intracranial Stenosis ◽

Intracranial Calcification ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Atherosclerotic Stenosis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Determine Mechanism

Introduction: Intravascular calcification is thought to be a marker of atherosclerosis in patients with stenosis and vascular risk factors. Little is known about the utility of quantifying intracranial calcification to help determine mechanism of stenosis. The objective of our study was to compare presence and patterns of intracranial calcification in patients with intracranial stenosis due to atherosclerosis and other etiologies. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 89 patients < 50 years with diagnosis of intracranial stenosis who had undergone CT angiogram from 2008-2013; 44 had presumed atherosclerosis as etiology ( > 3 vascular risk factors with no other identified cause). CTAs were reviewed for presence and location of intracranial calcification. Results: Of patients with atherosclerotic stenosis, 28 (64%) had intravascular calcification compared to 16 (36%) of those with stenosis of other etiologies (P=0.0039). There was no significant difference in pattern or location of stenosis between groups. One-third had calcification outside the region of stenosis in both groups. Distal internal carotid artery and distal vertebral artery were the most common sites of intracranial calcification (Table). Conclusion: Intracranial calcification is more commonly seen in patients < 50 years old with stenosis secondary to atherosclerosis, but the pattern and location was similar between groups. More research is needed to determine the utility of using the presence of vascular calcification to help determine mechanism of intracranial stenosis in the young.

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Acute Ischemic Stroke in Pregnancy

Case Reports in Neurology ◽

10.1159/000496386 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 37-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rita Rodrigues ◽

Renata Silva ◽

Luís Fontão ◽

Luís Ruano ◽

José Mário Roriz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Brain Mri ◽

Sudden Onset ◽

Transthoracic Echocardiogram ◽

Vascular Risk ◽

Ecg Monitoring ◽

Past Medical History ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Nihss Score ◽

Angio Ct

Stroke is an uncommon but serious potential complication of pregnancy. The management of acute ischemic stroke in pregnant women remains a complex challenge that extends beyond the limits of clinical trial evidence. Patient 1 was a 29-year-old woman 27 weeks into her first pregnancy, without remarkable past medical history or vascular risk factors. She was admitted 1 h after sudden onset of a left total anterior circulation syndrome (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 23). CT and angio-CT scans were normal. Thrombolysis was performed, with mild clinical improvement. Brain MRI showed multi-territorial embolic events. Extended blood panel, cervical-transcranial ultrasound, 48-h ECG monitoring, and transthoracic echocardiogram were unremarkable. She was started on aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), giving birth to a healthy child 10 weeks later. Patient 2 was a 45-year-old woman 34 weeks into her pregnancy, without remarkable past medical history or vascular risk factors. She was admitted 30 min after sudden onset of a left partial anterior circulation syndrome, already partially recovered (NIHSS score of 4). The CT scan showed only a subacute right incidental middle cerebral artery infarct, while the angio-CT confirmed a left M3 branch occlusion. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy were contraindicated by the recent contralateral infarct, mild deficits, and distal occlusion site. Brain MRI also suggested an embolic etiology and LMWH was started. Extended blood panel, 48-h ECG monitoring, and transthoracic echocardiogram were normal. She gave birth to a healthy baby 4 weeks later. These cases emphasize the growing real-world evidence of the emergent use of CT, IV contrast, and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in pregnant women with acute stroke, while also illustrating the importance of an individualized management, accounting for the safety of both mother and child.

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