Higher carotid intima media thickness predicts extracranial vascular events and not stroke recurrence among transient ischemic attack patients

BackgroundIncreased common carotid artery intima-media thickness has been associated with an increased risk of vascular ischemic events. We investigated the relationship between common carotid artery intima-media thickness and extracranial vascular events (coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease) or stroke recurrence in a cohort of transient ischemic attack patients from the REGITELL registry.MethodsHigh-resolution B-mode ultrasonographic measurements of the common carotid artery intima-media thickness were performed in a series of 283 consecutive transient ischemic attack patients. Clinical, neuroimaging, ultrasonographic, and etiological data were collected. Patients were followed prospectively for six-months or more. Extracranial vascular events and stroke recurrence were recorded.ResultsFifteen extracranial vascular events (12 coronary heart disease and three peripheral arterial disease) and 29 recurrent strokes occurred during a median follow-up period of 12·3 months. Patients who expe...