Prevalence and characteristics of unruptured cerebral aneurysms in ischemic stroke patients

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of unruptured cerebral aneurysms (UCAs) in ischemic stroke patients has not been investigated. We aimed to measure the prevalence and characteristics of UCAs in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and to compare it with general population. And we evaluated factors associated with cerebral aneurysm in ischemic stroke patients.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of 955 patients with AIS, and 2118 controls who had taken brain MRA as part of a health check-up. We investigated the prevalence, size, location and risk factors of the subject for UCAs.

Results: UCAs were found in 74 patients with AIS (7.7%) and in 79 people for health check-up (3.7%). Prevalence of UCAs was high in AIS group than health check-up (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.56-3.01, p < 0.001), especially in the age of 7th decade. The mean diameter of the aneurysms was larger in AIS group than health check-up group (3.95 mm vs 3.10 mm, p = 0.010). The UCAs were mostly located in the internal carotid artery and there were no significant differences in distribution pattern between groups. Multivariate analysis showed that only previous hypertension (p = 0.028) correlated with the increased prevalence of UCAs in stroke patients.

Conclusion: This study showed higher prevalence and larger size of UCAs in AIS patients than in general population. Hypertension was associated coexistence of cerebral aneurysm and ischemic stroke.