Study on the correlation between carotid plaque calcification types and the recurrence of ischemic stroke

Objective: The correlation between carotid plaque calcification types and recurrent stroke was investigated using computed tomography angiography (CTA). In addition, conjoint analysis was conducted to explore the physical activity, appetite, sleep and mood of the patients as variables, in order to provide new reference for the clinical treatment and management of ischemic stroke. Method: Patients who underwent head and neck CTA scans and who were diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral carotid plaques with stenosis < 70% at the First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang from September 2022 to August 2023 were enrolled in this study, with 2–3 years of follow-up. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were classified into 1–6 types based on plaque calcification characteristics, in order to analyze differences in recurrent stroke between these types. Results: Using on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 346 patients with carotid plaque were included. In the clinical baseline data, no statistically significant differences were observed between the recurrent and the non-recurrent stroke groups. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed statistically significant associations between plaque calcification types and recurrent stroke (p < 0.001). Subsequently, Cox proportional hazards model analysis further demonstrated a significant correlation between plaque calcification types and clinical endpoint (HR: 1.149,95% CI: 1.059–1.247, p < 0.001). Even after adjusting for sleep, appetite, physical activity and mood of the patients, the plaque calcification types remained significantly associated with the clinical endpoint (HR: 1.128,95% CI: 1.037–1.226, p = 0.005). Conclusion: This study indicates a correlation between carotid plaque calcification types and the recurrence of stroke. These findings provide a new approach to studying carotid atherosclerotic plaque calcification and further imaging-based evidence for the risk assessment of recurrent ischemic stroke.