J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 20(2); 2002 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2002;20(2): 118-123.

"심방세동을 가진 환자들에서 중대뇌동맥영역 뇌경색의 국소해부학적 특징 중대뇌동맥영역 뇌경색의 국소해부학적 특징"

황양하 , 김정일 김종열 서정규 박성파

경북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

"Topographic Characteristics of Middle Cerebral Artery Territorial Infarct in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation"

Yang-Ha Hwang

Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University

Abstract

"Background : Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known as a major independent risk factor of cardioembolic stroke. The aim of this study is to compare topographic characteristics of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory infarction between in patients with AF and without AF, which explain the cardioembolic infarction as a main manifestation in patients with AF. M e t h o d s : We retrospectively investigated patients with MCA territory infarcts on routine MRI. Thirty-two patients with AF (AF group) and forty-two patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR group) were compared. Topographic patterns and vascular status of intracranial vessels were analyzed in two groups. Results : In AF group, possible or probable cardioembolic stroke was 78%. The significant stenosis of extra- or intracranial artery was 19% in AF group. The simultaneous involvement of cortical and basal ganglia (p<0.01) and silent infarctions on contralateral hemisphere (p<0.01) were more frequent in AF group. The involvement of insular cortex was common in both groups. Conclusions : In our study, cardioembolism is the most probable cause of cerebral infarction in AF group. Above findings may be applied to the proper management of cerebral infarction associated with AF.Key Words : Cerebral infarction, Middle cerebral artery, Atrial fibrillation, Cardioembolism, Magnetic resonance imaging"