Effect of coincidence of severe extracranial and intracranial artery stenosis or occlusion on cerebral small vessel disease

Abstract Objective: There was a significant correlation between the large atherosclerotic extracranial artery stenosis (ECAS) or intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) and the neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Our objective was to investigate the effect of coexistence of severe extracranial and intracranial arterial stenosis or occlusion on CSVD in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 222 patients with LAA infarction with CSVD were included in this retrospective study, including 160 males and 62 females. All enrolled patients were divided into four groups: ECAS, ECAS+ICAS, ICAS and None. The differences between the four groups were evaluated by total CSVD scores, total Fazekas scores, periventricular WMH Fazekas scores and deep WMH Fazekas scores. Results: There were significant differences between the four groups in terms of total CSVD scores (PP Conclusion: The coincidence of severe stenosis or occlusion of the extracranial and intracranial artery may increase the incidence of CSVD and aggravate the performance of CSVD in patients with ischemic stroke and mainly reflected in the total CSVD scores. If ECAS and/or ICAS are found in patients, the total CSVD burden should be also actively assessed. To reduce the incidence of stroke and improve outcomes, active clinical intervention should be undertaken for these patients.