TABLE 1.
Demographic Characteristics and Risk Factors in Participants with and without PH on Ipsilateral Carotid MRI at the Time of Recruitment into the Study
| Characteristic | MRIPH+, n = 114 | MRIPH−, n = 65 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, median yr (interquartile range) | 74.9 (66–79) | 73.8 (62–78·5) | 0.1 |
| Female, No. [%] | 25 [21.9] | 27 [41.5] | 0.001a |
| Diabetes mellitus, No. [%] | 14 [12.3] | 6 [9.2] | 0.53 |
| Hypertension, No. [%] | 91 [79.8] | 51 [78.5] | 0.66 |
| Ischemic heart disease, No. [%] | 28 [24.6] | 22 [33.8] | 0.09 |
| Statin use, No. [%]b | 88 [77.2] | 52 [80] | 0.44 |
| Atrial fibrillation, No. [%] | 7 [6.1] | 7 [10.8] | 0.13 |
| Smoking habit, No. [%] | |||
| Smokers | 39 [34] | 34 [52] | 0.04a |
| Nonsmokers | 45 [40] | 20 [31] | |
| Ex-smokersc | 30 [26] | 11 [17] | |
| Antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents used, No. [%] | 0.32 | ||
| Aspirin | 73 [64] | 31 [47.7] | |
| Clopidogrel | 3 [2.6] | 8 [12.3] | |
| Duald | 31 [27.2] | 19 [29.2] | |
| Warfarin | 6 [5.3] | 4 [6.2] | |
| None | 1 [0.9] | 3 [4.6] | |
| Degree of Stenosis, No. [%]e | 0.61 | ||
| 50–69% | 43 [37.7] | 25 [38.5] | |
| 70–99% | 71 [62.3] | 40 [61.5] | |
| Type of symptom on presentation, No. [%] | 0.72 | ||
| Stroke | 39 [34.2] | 24 [36.9] | |
| TIA | 52 [45.6] | 26 [40] | |
| Amaurosis fugax | 23 [20.2] | 15 [23.1] | |
| Time between clinic assessment and MRI, median days (interquartile range) | 16.5 (2–40.5) | 27 (14.5–64) | 0.65f |
| Time between presenting symptom and MRI, median days (interquartile range) | 36.5 (16.5–81.2) | 45 (24–86.5) | |
| Time from clinical assessment and carotid endarterectomy, median days | 34 | 55 | |
| Total carotid endarterectomies, No. [%] | 82 [72] | 38 [58] | |
| Follow-up until terminating point, mean days (interquartile range)g | 311 (15.5–105) | 924 (44.5–1,863) | |
| Follow-up until any endpoint, mean days (interquartile range)h | 303 (15–176) | 880 (40.5–1,773) | |
| New atrial fibrillation at the time of recurrent event, No. [%] | 0 | 3 [4.6] | |
Significantly different (p < 0.05) between MRIPH+ and MRIPH− groups.
Patients were on regular statin therapy >6 months prior to inclusion into the study.
Ex-smokers were defined as having stopped smoking for >6 months.
Aspirin + (dipyridamol or clopidogrel).
Based on ultrasound criteria described in Patients and Methods.
Applying binary regression analysis, MRIPH was used as a dependent variable, with time from index symptom to MRI as the covariate.
Follow-up period from the entry point until the end of the study period, ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy, or death if the patient did not meet the primary endpoint (recurrent event).
Follow-up until recurrent ischemic event or terminating endpoint.
MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; MRIPH− = absence of hyperintense signal on MRI; MRIPH+ = presence of hyperintense signal on MRI; PH = intraplaque hemorrhage; TIA = transient ischemic attack.