Intracranial Arterial Stenosis Among Filipino Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Single Center Study

Introduction: Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is common among certain race. It is prevalent in Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans, who constitutes about 2/3 of the world population making it the most common cause of stroke worldwide. Objectives: The objectives are to describe the demographic data and risk factors of patients with ICAS and 1-year outcome. Methods: Patients who had ischemic stroke by cranial computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomographic angiography, or transcranial Doppler with periodic follow-up for 1 year were consecutively collected. Patients without intracranial stenosis were also collected and served as control. The demographic data, risk factors, modified Rankin Scale, stroke recurrence and mortality between ICAS and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) patients were compared. The distribution and the degree of steno-occlusive lesions were estimated. Results: A total of 258 cases were consecutively collected. ICAS was demonstrated in 109 patients and 149 were LAA patients. There were 62 (56.88%) males. The age range distribution was as follows: 18 to 45 year olds, 15 (13.76%); 46 to 60 year olds, 28 (25.69%); and 61 year olds and above 66 (60.55%). Risk factors were hypertension 82 (75.23%), diabetes mellitus 46 (42.20%), hyperlipidemia 27 (24.77%), atrial fibrillation 16 (14.68%), history of previous stroke 23 (21.10%), alcohol drinker 28 (25.69%), obesity 8 (7.34%), and family history of cerebrovascular disease 33 (30.28%). ICAS was seen in the middle cerebral artery 46 (46.9%), ICA 21 (21.4%), BA 11 (11.2%), VA 8 (8.16%), PCA 7 (7.14%), and ACA 5 (5.1%). Majority of the patients showed moderate to severe stenosis. Modified Rankin Scale ranged from 0 to 2 in the majority of the patients and showed not much difference compared to LAA patients. The recurrence of stroke and death rate showed no significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: In this study, no difference was seen between ICAS and LAA patients.