Evaluation of intracranial atherosclerotic disease risk factors in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Background & Objective: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a prevalent cause of ischemic stroke and is related to recurrent strokes. In this study, we aim to identify the ICAD rate and establish the risk factors in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in our population in Turkey. Methods: Eight hundred sixty-two patients diagnosed with AIS in our tertiary centre between 01-01.2019 and 01.01.2021 were retrospectively included in this study. Results: We detected ICAD in 172 ( 20%) patients. While the independent risk factors of anterior ICAD were hypertension and diabetes mellitus, the risk factors of posterior ICAD were advanced age, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia and vertebral artery hypoplasia. There were more frequent posterior ICAD. Conclusion: There was difference in the risk factors for anterior ICAD and posterior ICAD in this Turkish study.