Comparison of Clinical Backgrounds with Anterior Versus Posterior Circulation Infarcts

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the relevant clinical backgrounds for anterior circulation territory infarctions (ACTI) and posterior circulation territory infarctions (PCTI).

Methods

Data were obtained from April 1995 to May 2005 discharge statistics of the neurologic service in our hospital. The infarctions were divided into anterior circulation territory and posterior circulation territory by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and we examined clinical backgrounds for small vessel disease, large artery disease, and cardioembolism (CE).

Results

A total of 1089 cases were ACTI and 430 were PCTI. Male/female ratio was 1.75 for ACTI and 2.67 for PCTI (P < .05). The mean age was 69.1 years for ACTI and 65.9 years for PCTI (P < .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that significant contributed clinical backgrounds for small vessel disease were age and hyperlipidemia in ACTI. Those for large artery disease were male sex and history of cerebrovascular disease in PCTI. Those for CE were age and atrial fibrillation in ACTI; and diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking in PCTI. Those for all cerebral infarctions were age and atrial fibrillation in ACTI; and male sex, diabetes, and hypertension in PCTI.

Conclusion

This study showed differences in clinical backgrounds between ACTI and PCTI. Moreover, PCTI were closely related to the conventional vascular risk factors even in CE.

Key Words: Anterior circulation, posterior circulation, clinical backgrounds, artery-to-artery embolism