Abstract：
The effect of arterial tortuosity on intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of global intracranial arterial tortuosity on intracranial atherosclerotic burden in patients with ischemic stroke. We included patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and classified them into three groups according to the ICAS burden. Global tortuosity index (GTI) was defined as the standardized mean curvature of the entire intracranial arteries, measured by in-house vessel analysis software. Of the 516 patients included, 274 patients had no ICAS, 140 patients had a low ICAS burden, and 102 patients had a high ICAS burden. GTI increased with higher ICAS burden. After adjustment for age, sex, vascular risk factors, and standardized mean arterial area, GTI was independently associated with ICAS burden (adjusted odds ratio [adjusted OR] 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.62). The degree of association increased when the arterial tortuosity was analyzed limited to the basal arteries (adjusted OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.22-1.81). We demonstrated that GTI is associated with ICAS burden in patients with ischemic stroke, suggesting a role for global arterial tortuosity in ICAS.
摘要：
动脉弯曲对颅内动脉粥样硬化（ICAS）的影响尚不清楚。本研究旨在评估整体颅内动脉迂曲对缺血性卒中患者颅内动脉粥样硬化负荷的影响。我们纳入了接受磁共振血管造影（MRA）的急性缺血性卒中患者，并根据ICAS负荷将其分为三组。全局弯曲指数（GTI）定义为整个颅内动脉的标准化平均曲率，通过内部容器分析软件测量。在516名患者中，274例患者无ICAS,140名患者的ICAS负担较低，102例患者的ICAS负担较高.GTI随ICAS负荷的增加而增加。调整后的年龄，性别,血管危险因素，和标准化平均动脉面积，GTI与ICAS负荷独立相关（校正比值比[校正OR]1.33；95%置信区间[CI]1.09-1.62）。当分析动脉弯曲仅限于基底动脉时，关联程度增加（校正OR1.48；95％CI1.22-1.81）。我们证明GTI与缺血性卒中患者的ICAS负荷相关,提示整体动脉弯曲在ICAS中的作用。
