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Pre-existing Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Young Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke caused by Large Artery Atherosclerosis or Small Artery Occlusion

Artery Research volume 27, pages 121–128 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

To explore the characteristics of pre-existing Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) in young patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) caused by large artery atherosclerosis or small artery occlusion.

Methods

A total of 400 patients with suspected stroke or transient ischemic attack who aged 18–45 years old were included in this retrospective study. Demography data, vascular risk factors and primary CSVD were compared between patients with AIS and non-stroke or between patients with different subtypes of AIS.

Results

The levels of cerebrovascular risk factors were significantly higher in patients with AIS than those with non-stroke (p < 0.05). The majority of patients with large artery atherosclerotic stroke or small artery occlusive stroke were male. The age was slightly younger and the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score at admission were higher in large artery atherosclerotic stroke group than small artery occlusive stroke group. White matter hyperintensities, moderate and extensive enlarged perivascular space, 1–3 points of total score were more commonly observed in patients with AIS than those with non-stroke (p < 0.05). Male and diabetes were the risk factors of lacune infarctions (p < 0.05). Male, hypertension and primary CSVD were the risk factors of both of strokes (p < 0.05). The enlarged perivascular space notably increased the risk of large artery atherosclerotic stroke (p = 0.033).

Conclusion

Male, age, hypertension, diabetes and pre-existing CSVD were the risk factors of young patients with AIS. For young adults, once asymptomatic CSVD abnormalities were detected, cerebrovascular risk factors should be screened and preexisting prevention measures for stroke should be taken.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, Jiangan District, 430014, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China

    Hui Li, Dan Du, Xiang Wang & Yuanliang Xie

  2. Department of Neurology, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 26 Shengli Street, 430014, Jiangan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China

    Juan Chen

Authors
  1. Hui Li
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  2. Dan Du
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  3. Juan Chen
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  4. Xiang Wang
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  5. Yuanliang Xie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiang Wang.

Additional information

Hui Li and Dan Du are both the co-first author of this study.

Peer review under responsibility of the Association for Research into Arterial Structure and Physiology

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Li, H., Du, D., Chen, J. et al. Pre-existing Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Young Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke caused by Large Artery Atherosclerosis or Small Artery Occlusion. Artery Res 27, 121–128 (2021). https://doi.org/10.2991/artres.k.210511.001

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/artres.k.210511.001

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Artery Research

ISSN: 1876-4401

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