Extracranial Carotid Artery in Elderly Hypertension Complicated with Silent Cerebral Infarction

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between silent cerebral infarction （SCI） and extracranial carotid atherosclerosis （ECCAS） in elderly with essential hypertension. MethodsWTBZUsing the colour Doppler ultrasonography technique, the lumen diameter, intima-media thickness, plaque and the extent of atherosclerosis in extracranial carotid artery were measured at both sides in elderly patients with essential hypertension in SCI group（n=50）, and compared with those in without SCI group（n=114）.ResultsThe incidence of ECCAS was significantly higher in SCI group than in without SCI group （92.0% vs 64.9%, P＜0.001）.The prevalence of carotid plaque, especially the vulnerable plaque was higher as well （82.0% vs 58.8%, P=0.004; 38.0% vs 7.0%, P=0.000）.ECCAS was more frequent at the ipsilateral carotid artery with stroke focus than that in contralateral artery （69.8% vs 35.1%, P=0.001）.ConclusionHigher prevalence rate of ECCAS and vulnerable carotid plaque were shown in the elderly with essential hypertension complicated silent cerebral infarction.Carotid artery ultrasound examination carried regularly to find early stage ECCAS is warranted.