Endothelial dysfunction, distensibility and intima-media thickness and aetiology of stroke

This study measured carotid artery distensibility, intima-media thickness (IMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in patients with ischaemic stroke and evaluated if there was a relationship between these measurements and the presence of atrial fibrillation. Distensibility and IMT were measured in 89 patients with ischaemic stroke using ultrasonography; 44 patients had atrial fibrillation. Distensibility was determined using the Reneman equation. FMD was measured in a second group of 52 patients with ischaemic stroke; 20 patients had atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation had lower IMT values compared with patients without atrial fibrillation (0.67 versus 0.79 mm, respectively). Distensibility increased in patients with atrial fibrillation compared with patients without atrial fibrillation (0.19 versus 0.10 mm/100 mmHg, respectively). Patients with atrial fibrillation had significantly better FMD results than patients without atrial fibrillation (5.7% versus 3.2%, respectively). Measuring distensibility, IMT and FMD might be helpful in differentiating between stroke of embolic and thrombotic aetiology.