Contribution of Distensibility and Intima-Media Thickness to the Etiology of Stroke

We evaluated carotid artery distensibility (D) and intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with stroke (S), and its relationship to diabetes and atrial fibrilation. We measured D and IMT in 89 stroke patients. 59 patients had type II diabetes and 64 patients had atrial fibrillation. D was determined using the Reneman formula (mm/100mm Hg). D was consistently lower in diabetic patients then in non-diabetic patients (0.14 v. 0.17, p=0.039) and showed a relation to IMT. In atrial fibrillation patients IMT was consistently lower (67 v.79 mm, p=0.033) and D was increased (0.19 v. 0.10, p=0.023). Type II diabetes is characterized by wall stiffening and thickening of the carotid artery. D and IMT can contribute to the differentiation of embolic and thrombotic etiology of stroke.