Analysis of Carotid color ultrasonography and high sensitive C-reactive protein in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction

Objectives: To detect the correlation between high-sensitivity-CRP, carotid plaque, neurological function and intima–media thickness, and help physicians in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.

Methods: A total of 96 patients with the first onset of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction were included in the study from July 2013 to May 2015. The test of high-sensitivity-CRP, examination of carotid color ultrasonography and neurological function evaluation were carried out for all the participants.

Results: Ninety-six patients were divided into carotid plaque group and non-plaque group according to the existence of a carotid plaque after carotid artery ultrasonography. The carotid plaque group was further subdivided into stable plaque and unstable plaque subgroups according to plaque characteristics. The age in two subgroups was significantly higher than the non-plaque group (p<0.05). The unstable plaque subgroup presented with the highest values in intima–media thickness and high-sensitivity-CRP level, followed by stable plaque subgroup and non-plaque group (p<0.05). With the nervous damage scale increase, the level of high-sensitivity-CRP increase significantly (p<0.05). In addition, there was significant correlation between NIHSS score and high-sensitivity-CRP in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The level of high-sensitivity-CRP and intima–media thickness is closely associated with the development of carotid plaque, and high-sensitivity-CRP can be regarded as a high sensitive index in deciding the risk and prognosis of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.