Intracranial Arterial Calcifications: Potential Biomarkers of Stroke Risk and Outcome

Front Neurol. 2022 Sep 1;13:900579. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.900579. eCollection 2022.ABSTRACTIntracranial artery calcifications (IAC), a common and easily identifiable finding on computed tomorgraphy angiography (CTA), has gained recognition as a possible risk factor for ischemic stroke. While atherosclerosis of intracranial arteries is believed to be a mechanism that commonly contributes to ischemic stroke, and coronary artery calcification is well-established as a predictor of both myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke risk, IAC is not currently used as a prognostic tool for stroke risk or recurrence. This review examines the pathophysiology and prevalence of IAC, and current evidence suggesting that IAC may be a useful tool for prediction of stroke incidence, recurrence, and response to acute ischemic stroke therapy.PMID:36119671 | PMC:PMC9475140 | DOI:10.3389/fneur.2022.900579
Source: Atherosclerosis - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research