Abstract 3166: Asymptomatic Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis is Associated with More Cortical Subclinical Brain Infarcts: the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS)

Background: Asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis is a modifiable risk factor for ischemic stroke but its role in subclinical brain infarction (SBI), also a stroke risk factor, is poorly understood especially in multiethnic populations. Methods: In the Northern Manhattan Study community-based cohort, stroke-free participants underwent quantitative assessment of SBI with MRI and of carotid atherosclerosis with Doppler ultrasound. We examined the prevalence and location of SBI in those with and without carotid stenosis (defined as ≥60% or occlusion). We used Fisher Exact Tests to assess group differences. Results: The mean age of the sample (N=1217) was 71±9 years and 60% were women. The race-ethnic distribution was 65% Hispanic white, 18% non-Hispanic Black, and 17% non-Hispanic white. There were 21 participants with asymptomatic ICA stenosis or occlusion (1.7%) and 170 participants with SBI (14%). Overall, five of 21 participants with ICA stenosis or occlusion had SBI (24%) compared to 165 o...