Clinical Study of Intracranial and Extracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients.

Background And Purpose: Nowadays, researchers had begun to focus on the use of antiplatelet and statins in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), but atherosclerosis treatment remains uncertain in these patients. We aimed to investigate the incidence and characteristics of intracranial and extracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in these patients and analyze its related risk factors.

Methods: Intracranial and extracranial arteries of consecutive patients with sICH were studied retrospectively with computed tomography angiography of head and neck. The risk factors, severity, and distribution of atherosclerotic stenosis were examined and analyzed.

Results: We included 226 patients with sICH, of whom 110 patients (48.7%) had atherosclerotic stenosis. Of the patients, 57 (51.8%) had intracranial stenosis and 75 (68.2%) had multiple stenosis. A total of 1870 vessels were examined and 287 vessels (15.3%) had atherosclerotic stenosis, of which 217 cases (75.6%) were mild stenosis. Intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis was more likely to be found in patients with advanced age (P < .001), diabetes mellitus (P = .008), non-deep hemorrhage (P = .011).

Conclusions: Atherosclerotic stenosis is common in patients with sICH, and is characterized by mild stenosis and the involvement of multiple sites. The stenosis of the vertebrobasilar system is relatively severe. Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and non-deep bleeding are its related risks.