Study of carotid intima media thickness and its correlation with novel risk factors in ischemic stroke

Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) is used commonly as a non-invasive test for assessment of degree of atherosclerosis. The present study, in a tertiary care centre of Eastern India was aimed to determine the relation between CIMT and the known and novel risk factors of ischemic stroke. Of the 62 patients studied, 82% were hypertensive and 61% were smokers, 95% were above 50 years of age. Seventy one percent of our patients had high CIMT. CIMT was significantly related to high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, LDL levels and age of the patient. By logistic regression analysis, hsCRP, fibrinogen and age were significantly associated with high CIMT. When the patients have elevation of both hsCRP and fibrinogen, the risk of high CIMT were even higher. Our study highlights the needs for better screening in high risk patients.