J Biomed Res.  2014 Jun;15(2):68-71.

Association between carotid intima-media thickness and Ankle-Brachial Index in patients with ischemic stroke

• Yoon YM
• Lee HS
• Baek SH
• Lee HL
• Yeo M
• Choi SY
• Kim JS
• Lee SH
• Lee SS
• Shin DI

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the ratio of blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. The intima-media thickness (IMT) of extracranial carotid arteries determined by B-mode ultrasound is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. A low ABI and a high carotid IMT are independently related to increased risk of cardiovascular events. This study examined the association between carotid IMT and ABI in patients with ischemic stroke.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Retrospectively, 116 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke were recruited. Using a pulse wave velocity ABI device along with carotid duplex sonography, we measured carotid IMT and ABI and investigated the correlation between average values.
RESULTS
There was a significant difference in carotid IMT between the normal and abnormal ABI groups (P=0.0262). The group with an abnormal ABI was more than five times as likely to have increased carotid IMT as the group with a normal ABI (age, sex-adjusted OR 5.67 (95% CI 1.85~17.38)). The ABI and carotid IMT showed a weak inverse linear correlation in patients with ischemic stroke (correlation coefficient -0.378 after adjusting for age and sex).
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that an abnormal ABI is associated with a high carotid IMT in patients with ischemic stroke.

Keyword

ischemic stroke; carotid; intima media thickness; ankle brachial index; atherosclerosis

MeSH Terms

Ankle Brachial Index*
Arm
Atherosclerosis
Blood Pressure
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
Humans
Leg
Pulse Wave Analysis
Retrospective Studies
Stroke*
Ultrasonography