Prevalence of extracranial carotid stenosis in Thai ischemic stroke/TIA patients

Stroke is a leading cause of death and morbidity in Thailand. The purpose of this study was to look for prevalence of significant extracranial carotid stenosis (ECCS) in Thai ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients and baseline characteristics of this subgroup.MethodsAll acute/subacute ischemic stroke/TIA patients who were treated at Thammasat hospital and had carotid duplex done, during August 2006–July 2007, were included. Carotid duplex studies were performed in all clinically stable patients. The degree of stenosis was defined according to the standard velocity criteria. Stroke subtypes were classified by TOAST criteria: large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), small-artery occlusion (SAO), stroke of other determined cause (OC) and stroke of undetermined cause (UND).ResultsOne-hundred and eighty-four cases were included. Prevalence of significant ECCS was 9.2%. SAO subtype was the most common stroke subtype in our study (45%). Significant ECCS was found in 18.4%, 6% and 8.3% patients with LAA, SAO and CE stroke subtype, respectively.ConclusionSignificant ECCS in Thai ischemic stroke/TIA patients is uncommon. Low prevalence of coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease in Thai stroke patients and/or high SAO stroke subtype in our patients may explain this.