Cukurova Medical Journal (Dec 2021)
The relationship between aortic stiffness index and stroke severity in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Abstract
Purpose: Acute cerebrovascular diseases is an important reason of mortality and morbidity. Aortic stiffness is a important predictor of cerebrovascular, cardiovascular (CV) and all cause death, deadly and non-deadly coronary and neurologic situations, and severe strokes. In our study, we researched the association between aortic stiffness index (ASI) and stroke seriousness in acute ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 patients (females, 55; males, 42; 65 ± 16 years) with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study. 17 patients were excluded. 80 patients were evaluated. Subjects were categorized into two groups according to the calculated NIHSS score (Group 1, NIHSS score < 16; Group 2, NIHSS score ≥ 16). Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic and laboratory parameters for all patients were evaluated. Cardiac parameters and aortic stiffness index were evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography within 48 hours of hospitalization to the neurology clinic. Results: There were no significant differences among the groups for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, SBP, DBP, heart rate, dyslipidemia, infarct volume, troponin, HbA1c, glucose, creatinine, LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in Group 2 patients than in Group 1 patients. LV wall thickness, aortic stiffness index, E/e’ were significantly higher in Group 2 patients than in Group 1 patients. LVEF was significantly lower in Group 2 patients than in Group 1 patients. Conclusion: ASI was significantly higher in patients with severe acute ischemic stroke. Higher ASI is associated with higher NIHSS score in patients with acute ischemic stroke
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