A survey of extracranial carotid artery stenosis prevalence in ischemicstroke patients in Kerman

Introduction. Atheromatous lesions of carotid artery have a role in pathophysiology of ischemic stroke by reducing the distal perfus ion and sending emboli from atherom. Athere are a lot of collaterals there, especially willis ring, this stenosis may be silent or asymptomatic. On the other hand, there are some theories said that the prevalence of extracranial and intracranial stenosis of internal carotid artery differs in eastern and western population .The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of extracranial carotid artery stenosis in ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods. This study was performed on 100 patients with ischemic stroke referring to neurology ward of shafa hospital in Kerman. The diagnosis was based on the history physical examination, brain CT scan and confirmation of the masters of the ward. Carotid artery stenosis was investigated by Doppler onography. Results . The resaults showed that 12% of the patients have 50% stenosis or more in the extracranial part of carotid artery, 5% with mild, 4% moderate and 3% with severe stenosis. Diabetes and smoking were significant risk factors, but age, sex and history of hypertension had no significant relation with stenosis . Conclusion. we concluded that the prevalence of extracranial carotid artery stenosis is lower in our society. This can confirm this theory saying: "intracranial carotid artery stenosis is more common among eastern population than western".