Risk factors for early recurrent cerebral ischaemia prior to treatment of symptomatic carotid stenosis

Background and purpose: In general, a recently symptomatic carotid stenosis is associated with a high risk of recurrent ischemia. However, some patients may have a considerably higher risk than others, so that the aim of this study was to identify these individuals using clinical data and serial diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). Methods: One hundred thirty-one patients (98 male; mean age 68±9 years) who had been referred to our department within 14 days (median; interquartile range 4 to 36 days) after experiencing an ischemic event due to a carotid stenosis were followed up until carotid angioplasty and stenting…