Spectrum of Carotid Doppler Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients Admitted with Ischemic Stroke

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Ischemic stroke (n=167). Intervention: Carotid Doppler ultrasonography. Primary outcome: Thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT > 1 mm).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Carotid atherosclerotic abnormalities are highly prevalent in ischemic stroke patients, with thickened carotid intima-media thickness in 65.3%, intra-carotid plaques in 51.5%, and significant stenosis in 14.4%, showing strong associations with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Zoya Abbas Qadri; Iffat Ara; Hamza Azhar; Syeda Samiya Mushtaq Gillani; Alina Saleem

doi:10.25258/ijddt.16.86s.6

November 2, 2026International Journal of Drug Delivery TechnologyOpen Access

Spectrum of Carotid Doppler Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients Admitted with Ischemic Stroke

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Key result

Carotid Doppler detects thickened CIMT in ~65% of patients with ischemic stroke.

n=167

Why the study?

The burden of ischemic stroke is increasing worldwide with carotid artery atherosclerosis as an important etiological factor, motivating this study to determine the spectrum of carotid Doppler ultrasonographic findings in patients admitted with ischemic stroke.

Key Points

To determine the spectrum of carotid Doppler ultrasonographic findings in patients admitted with ischemic stroke.
Cross-sectional study of 167 patients aged 18–70 years admitted with ischemic stroke at a single hospital from 24 November 2025 to 24 May 2026, recruited via nonprobability consecutive sampling.
Carotid Doppler ultrasonography was performed to evaluate thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), intra-carotid plaque, and significant carotid stenosis (>50%).
Thickened CIMT was detected in 109 (65.3%) patients, intra-carotid plaque in 86 (51.5%), and significant carotid stenosis in 24 (14.4%) patients.
Thickened CIMT was significantly higher in patients aged 51–70 years compared to 18–50 years (71.7% vs 51.9%, p=0.028), BMI ≥25 kg/m² compared to <25 kg/m² (73.6% vs 50.8%, p=0.009), and males compared to females (71.3% vs 56.1%, p=0.041).
Plaque occurred significantly more often in diabetes (65.8% vs 40.4%, p=0.003) and non-statin users (58.3% vs 40.6%, p=0.021), while significant stenosis was more frequent in smokers (23.2% vs 8.2%, p=0.012) and anterior circulation stroke (16.9% vs 8.2%, p=0.047).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=167)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P

Population

167 adults aged 18–70 years (mean age 58.42 years, 39.5% female) admitted with first-ever ischemic stroke without hemorrhagic transformation or prior carotid procedures in Muzaffarabad.

E

Exposure

Carotid Doppler ultrasonography

O

Outcome

Spectrum and frequency of carotid Doppler ultrasonographic findings: thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT >1 mm), presence of intra-carotid atherosclerotic plaque, and significant carotid stenosis (>50% of the carotid lumen)surrogate

In patients admitted with ischemic stroke, carotid Doppler ultrasound frequently detects vascular abnormalities—including thickened CIMT (65.3%), intra-carotid plaque (51.5%), and significant stenosis >50% (14.4%)—supporting its utility for early vascular assessment and risk stratification.

Limitations

Single-center study, which may limit generalizability to the wider population
Relatively small sample size (n=167)
Use of non-probability consecutive sampling may affect external validity
Cross-sectional design prevents establishing temporal and causal relationships between carotid Doppler findings and associated risk factors
Single-center study, limiting generalizability to the wider population
Relatively small sample size
Use of non-probability consecutive sampling affecting external validity
Cross-sectional study design precludes establishing temporal and causal relationships between carotid Doppler findings and associated risk factors
Lipid profile parameters were not evaluated

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Implication

Prevalent carotid lesions in ischemic stroke support targeted imaging; extends prior observational data but leaves open need for prospective validation.

Abstract

Background: The burden of ischemic stroke is increasing worldwide and carotid artery atherosclerosis is considered an important etiological factor. Carotid Doppler ultrasonography is a non-invasive and reliable modality for detecting vascular abnormalities associated with ischemic stroke. Objectives: To determine the spectrum of carotid Doppler ultrasonographic findings in patients admitted with ischemic stroke. Study Design & Setting: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diagnostic Radiology Department of H. H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital/CMH from 24 November 2025 to 24 May 2026. Methodology: A total of 167 patients aged 18–70 years admitted with ischemic stroke were included through nonprobability consecutive sampling. Patients with hemorrhagic transformation, cortical venous thrombosis, hypercoagulability disorders, prior stroke, or previous carotid procedures were excluded. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded. All patients underwent carotid Doppler ultrasonography for assessment of thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), intra-carotid plaque, and significant carotid stenosis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: The mean age of patients was 58.42 ± 10.71 years and mean BMI was 27.14 ± 4.26 kg/m². Thickened CIMT was observed in 109 (65.3%) patients, intra-carotid plaque in 86 (51.5%), and significant carotid stenosis in 24 (14.4%) patients. Significant associations were observed between carotid Doppler findings and age, BMI, gender, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol use, statin use, and stroke territory (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Thickened CIMT, intra-carotid plaque, and significant carotid stenosis were common carotid Doppler findings among ischemic stroke patients. Carotid Doppler ultrasonography may be useful for early vascular assessment and risk stratification in such patients.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Qadri et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Ischemic stroke (n=167). Carotid Doppler ultrasonography was evaluated on Thickened carotid intima media thickness (CIMT > 1 mm). Carotid Doppler ultrasonography in ischemic stroke patients identified thickened CIMT in 65.3%, intra-carotid plaque in 51.5%, and significant carotid stenosis (>50%) in 14.4%.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aea773089a8acbed9c87b49 https://doi.org/10.25258/ijddt.16.86s.6

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Spectrum of Carotid Doppler Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients Admitted with Ischemic Stroke

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Spectrum of Carotid Doppler Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients Admitted with Ischemic Stroke

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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