[Comparison of the topography of carotid territory stenosis in north American and Iranian stroke patients]

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerotic stenosis of carotid territory is the most common cause of ischemic stroke. A higher frequency of intracranial arterial stenosis has been reported in Africa and the Far East. 304 geriatric ischemic stroke patients admitted in Mackenzie hospital, Canada and the same number of geriatric ischemic stroke patients with similar sex ratio admitted in Valie-Asr hospital, Iran during 2003-2005 were enrolled in a double center and prospective study. Diagnosis of brain infarction in the carotid territory was made by stroke neurologists. All of the patients underwent transcranial and carotid doppler studies. Doppler studies performed were based on the standard method by a neurosonologist. Fisher exact test served for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was declared significant. In Iranian group 71 patients [23.3%] and in North American group 83 patients [27.3%] had extracranial ICA stenosis without a significant difference df=1, p=0.305. Sever >/=70% Extracranial ICA stenosis was found in 14 Iranian patients [4.6%] and 23 North American patients [7.5%] without a significant difference. df=1, p=0.17. In Iranian group, 14 cases [4.6%] and in North American group 5 cases [1.6%] had intracranial stenosis in carotid territory which was significantly different df=1, p=0.038. Mixed intracranial and extracranial carotid territory stenosis was present in 2 Iranian and 1 North American patient. Atherosclerotic stenosis of intracranial branches of carotid territory is more common in Iranian than North American populations