Incidence of carotid artery stenosis in acute ischemic stroke at BMC Hospital Quetta

Background and objectives. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, severity, and distribution of carotid artery stenosis among patients experiencing ischemic strokes. Materials and methods. This prospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital in Quetta, Baluchistan, Pakistan. The research spanned one year, from April 2022 to April 2023, involving 153 patients. Results. The study revealed that individuals in their 50s to 70s were predominantly affected, with the most common CT findings being the right middle cerebral artery (MCA), left MCA, and right posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Among the participants, 19.0% exhibited carotid artery stenosis, with a male predominance. The distribution of stenosis severity included 8.5% with mild, 5.9% with moderate, 3.9% with severe, and 0.7% with total occlusion. The affected anatomical sites were the carotid bulb, common carotid artery, common carotid artery bifurcation, internal carotid artery, and external carotid artery in 7.8%, 5.2%, 2.0%, 2.6%, and 1.3% of patients, respectively. Right-sided stenosis was observed in 9.8% of cases, surpassing left-sided stenosis at 7.2%. Logistic regression analysis did not identify age and gender as significant predictors of stenosis. Conclusions. This study underscores the critical significance of early detection and intervention for carotid artery stenosis in high-risk acute ischemic stroke patients, aiming at stroke prevention.