Abstract:
Objective: To determine the frequency of signifi cant extra-cranial carotid artery stenosis on Doppler ultrasound in patients with recent ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: Th is study was carried in Radiology Department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from 1st June 2016 to 30th November 2016. A total of 184 patients with 2 weeks history of ischemic stroke were included. Carotid Doppler ultrasound was performed on all patients with GE Doppler ultrasound machine. All the information was noted on pre-designed proforma. Results: Frequency of signifi cant carotid artery stenosis (≥ 50% stenosis) on doppler ultrasound in recent ischemic stroke patients is 27.7%. Regarding the degree of stenosis, 28(15.2%) cases had 50 to 69%, 19(10.3%) cases had 70 to 95% and 4(2.2%) had above 95% stenosis. Conclusion: We conclude from this study that high risk patients should be screened by Doppler ultrasound for the presence of carotid artery stenosis in order to plan out medical / and surgical intervention for the primary as well as secondary prevention of cerebro-vascular events.
