Intracranial internal carotid artery stenosis: longterm prognosis

• Published in: Stroke (1970) Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 821 - 824
• Main Authors: Marzewski, D J, Furlan, A J, St Louis, P, Little, J R, Modic, M T, Williams, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.1982
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arteriosclerosis - complications; Arteriosclerosis - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - complications; Carotid Artery Diseases - complications; Carotid Artery Diseases - diagnosis; Carotid Artery, Internal; Cerebral Angiography; Cerebrovascular Disorders - etiology; Cerebrovascular Disorders - mortality; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/01.str.13.6.821

Sixty-six patients with greater than or equal to 50% stenosis of an intracranial internal carotid artery (IICA) were followed-up for an average of 3.9 years. Eighteen patients (27.3%) experienced ischemic events; 8 (12.1%) had isolated TIA and 10 (15.2%) a stroke. The observed stroke rate for patients 35 years and older are 13 times the expected infarction rate for a normal population. Patients with tandem extracranial stenosis had a greater risk of stroke than patients with isolated IICA stenosis. Thirty-three patients (50%) died during follow-up and 55% of all deaths were cardiac related. The observed 5 year survival rate was 60% compared to an expected rate of 87%. Patients with IICA stenosis had a higher risk of stroke and death compared to a previously reported referral population with ICA occlusion. IICA stenosis is a marker of extensive cerebrovascular and systemic atherosclerotic disease, especially coronary artery disease.