BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The first part of this study assessed the potential of MDCT with a CTA examination of the aorta and the coronary, cervical, and intracranial vessels in the etiologic work-up of TIA or ischemic stroke compared with established imaging methods. The objective of the second part of this study was to assess the atherosclerotic extent by use of MDCT in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2007 to August 2011, a total of 96 patients with ischemic stroke or TIA without an evident cardioembolic source were enrolled. All patients underwent MDCT. Atherosclerotic extent was classified in 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 atherosclerotic levels according to the number of arterial territories (aortic arch, coronary, cervical, intracranial) affected by atherosclerosis defined as ≥ 50% cervical, intracranial, or coronary stenosis or ≥ 4-mm aortic arch plaque. RESULTS: There were 91 patients who had an interpretable MDCT. Mean age was 67.4 years (± 11 years), and 75 patients (83.3%) were men. The prevalence of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 atherosclerotic levels was 48.3%, 35.2%, 12.1%, 4.4%, and 0%, respectively. Aortic arch atheroma was found in 47.6% of patients with 1 atherosclerotic level. The combination of aortic arch atheroma and cervical stenosis was found in 63.6% of patients with ≥ 2 atherosclerotic levels. Patients with ≥ 2 atherosclerotic levels were older than patients with < 2 atherosclerotic levels (P = .04) in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT might be useful to assess the extent of atherosclerosis. It could help to screen for high-risk patients who could benefit from a more aggressive preventive strategy.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The first part of this study assessed the potential of MDCT with a CTA examination of the aorta and the coronary, cervical, and intracranial vessels in the etiologic work-up of TIA or ischemic stroke compared with established imaging methods. The objective of the second part of this study was to assess the atherosclerotic extent by use of MDCT in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2007 to August 2011, a total of 96 patients with ischemic stroke or TIA without an evident cardioembolic source were enrolled. All patients underwent MDCT. Atherosclerotic extent was classified in 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 atherosclerotic levels according to the number of arterial territories (aortic arch, coronary, cervical, intracranial) affected by atherosclerosis defined as ≥ 50% cervical, intracranial, or coronary stenosis or ≥ 4-mm aortic arch plaque. RESULTS: There were 91 patients who had an interpretable MDCT. Mean age was 67.4 years (± 11 years), and 75 patients (83.3%) were men. The prevalence of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 atherosclerotic levels was 48.3%, 35.2%, 12.1%, 4.4%, and 0%, respectively. Aortic arch atheroma was found in 47.6% of patients with 1 atherosclerotic level. The combination of aortic arch atheroma and cervical stenosis was found in 63.6% of patients with ≥ 2 atherosclerotic levels. Patients with ≥ 2 atherosclerotic levels were older than patients with < 2 atherosclerotic levels (P = .04) in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT might be useful to assess the extent of atherosclerosis. It could help to screen for high-risk patients who could benefit from a more aggressive preventive strategy.
Authors: William Wijns; Philippe Kolh; Nicolas Danchin; Carlo Di Mario; Volkmar Falk; Thierry Folliguet; Scot Garg; Kurt Huber; Stefan James; Juhani Knuuti; Jose Lopez-Sendon; Jean Marco; Lorenzo Menicanti; Miodrag Ostojic; Massimo F Piepoli; Charles Pirlet; Jose L Pomar; Nicolaus Reifart; Flavio L Ribichini; Martin J Schalij; Paul Sergeant; Patrick W Serruys; Sigmund Silber; Miguel Sousa Uva; David Taggart Journal: Eur Heart J Date: 2010-08-29 Impact factor: 29.983
Authors: Matthew J Budoff; Mylan C Cohen; Mario J Garcia; John McB Hodgson; W Gregory Hundley; Joao A C Lima; Warren J Manning; Gerald M Pohost; Paolo M Raggi; George P Rodgers; John A Rumberger; Allen J Taylor; Mark A Creager; John W Hirshfeld; Beverly H Lorell; Geno Merli; George P Rodgers; Cynthia M Tracy; Howard H Weitz Journal: Circulation Date: 2005-07-26 Impact factor: 29.690
Authors: Stephen Schroeder; Stephan Achenbach; Frank Bengel; Christof Burgstahler; Filippo Cademartiri; Pim de Feyter; Richard George; Philipp Kaufmann; Andreas F Kopp; Juhani Knuuti; Dieter Ropers; Joanne Schuijf; Laurens F Tops; Jeroen J Bax Journal: Eur Heart J Date: 2007-12-15 Impact factor: 29.983
Authors: A Harloff; M Handke; A Geibel; E Oehm; B Guschlbauer; M Olschewski; A Hetzel Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2005-12 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: P Amarenco; A Cohen; C Tzourio; B Bertrand; M Hommel; G Besson; C Chauvel; P J Touboul; M G Bousser Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1994-12-01 Impact factor: 91.245