Purpose: To explore the association between carotid artery length and tortuosity, and the occurrence of stroke. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, IRB approved, 411 consecutive patients (males: 245; median age: 56 ± 12 years, age range: 21-93 years) with anterior circulation ischemic stroke were included. Only patients that underwent CTA within 7 days were considered and stroke caused by cardiac embolism and thoracic aorta embolism were excluded. For each patient, both carotid arteries were considered, and the ICA, CCA-ICA length and tortuosity were calculated. Inter-observer analysis was quantified with the Bland-Altman test. Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression analysis were also calculated to test the association between length and tortuosity with the occurrence of stroke. Results: In the final analysis, 166 patients (males: 72; median age: 54 ± 12 years, age range: 24-89 years) with anterior circulation ischemic stroke that were admitted to our hospital between February 2008 and December 2013 were included. The results showed a good concordance for the length of the vessels with a mean variation of 0.7% and 0.5% for CCA-ICA and ICA length respectively an for the tortuosity with a mean variation of 0.2% and -0.4% for CCA-ICA and ICA respectively. The analysis shows a statistically significant association between the tortuosity index of the ICA and CCA-ICA sides with stroke (P value = 0.0001 in both cases) and these findings were confirmed also with the logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that tortuosity index is associated with the presence of stroke whereas the length of the carotid arteries does not play a significant role.

Does Carotid Artery Tortuosity Play a Role in Stroke?

Saba L.;Sanfilippo R.;Corrias G.;Mannelli L.;Zucca S.;Montisci R.;
2021-01-01

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the association between carotid artery length and tortuosity, and the occurrence of stroke. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, IRB approved, 411 consecutive patients (males: 245; median age: 56 ± 12 years, age range: 21-93 years) with anterior circulation ischemic stroke were included. Only patients that underwent CTA within 7 days were considered and stroke caused by cardiac embolism and thoracic aorta embolism were excluded. For each patient, both carotid arteries were considered, and the ICA, CCA-ICA length and tortuosity were calculated. Inter-observer analysis was quantified with the Bland-Altman test. Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression analysis were also calculated to test the association between length and tortuosity with the occurrence of stroke. Results: In the final analysis, 166 patients (males: 72; median age: 54 ± 12 years, age range: 24-89 years) with anterior circulation ischemic stroke that were admitted to our hospital between February 2008 and December 2013 were included. The results showed a good concordance for the length of the vessels with a mean variation of 0.7% and 0.5% for CCA-ICA and ICA length respectively an for the tortuosity with a mean variation of 0.2% and -0.4% for CCA-ICA and ICA respectively. The analysis shows a statistically significant association between the tortuosity index of the ICA and CCA-ICA sides with stroke (P value = 0.0001 in both cases) and these findings were confirmed also with the logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that tortuosity index is associated with the presence of stroke whereas the length of the carotid arteries does not play a significant role.
2021
carotid artery
CTA
neuroradiology
stroke
tortuosity
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Arteries
Carotid Artery, Internal
Computed Tomography Angiography
Female
Humans
Joint Instability
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Skin Diseases, Genetic
Stroke
Vascular Malformations
Young Adult
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11584/336757
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