Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation

Abstract Our study aimed to explore the calcification patterns of culprit lesions associated with artery-to-artery embolism (AAE) infarction in patients with vertebrobasilar artery atherosclerosis, using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) and computed tomography (CT). We retrospectively...

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Main Authors: Huan Yang, Haoyu Lu, Chen Xue, Liangjie Lin, Cuiyan Wang, Ximing Wang, Guiwen Yang, Qingqing Yin, Bo Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07229-6
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author Huan Yang
Haoyu Lu
Chen Xue
Liangjie Lin
Cuiyan Wang
Ximing Wang
Guiwen Yang
Qingqing Yin
Bo Liu
author_facet Huan Yang
Haoyu Lu
Chen Xue
Liangjie Lin
Cuiyan Wang
Ximing Wang
Guiwen Yang
Qingqing Yin
Bo Liu
author_sort Huan Yang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Our study aimed to explore the calcification patterns of culprit lesions associated with artery-to-artery embolism (AAE) infarction in patients with vertebrobasilar artery atherosclerosis, using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) and computed tomography (CT). We retrospectively analyzed data from patients undergoing VW-MRI and CT scans at two institutions. Patients with ≥ 50% vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis were categorized based on their stroke mechanisms as AAE (+) and AAE (-). Calcification profiles of the culprit lesion, including the morphology, location, quantity, and VW-MRI characteristics were compared among stroke patients. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between vertebrobasilar artery calcification characteristics and the presence of AAE (+). Among the 151 stroke patients included, 56 (37.09%) were classified as AAE (+), while 95 (62.91%) as AAE (-). Multivariate regression analysis revealed the odds ratio of AAE (+) was 2.69 and 2.15 for the presence and count of spotty calcification, 3.33 for intimal-predominant calcification, and 3.65 for multiple calcifications. Calcification characteristics observed at the culprit lesion were associated with posterior circulation infarction in patients exhibiting AAE infarction. Understanding the relationship between intracranial artery calcification and stroke mechanisms may help clinicians improve stroke prevention and treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-7a1074e659024283b67c4e2a484e00d22025-08-20T03:37:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-07229-6Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulationHuan Yang0Haoyu Lu1Chen Xue2Liangjie Lin3Cuiyan Wang4Ximing Wang5Guiwen Yang6Qingqing Yin7Bo Liu8Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityShandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan Third People’s HospitalMSC Clinical & Technical Solutions, Philips HealthcareDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal UniversityDepartment of Geriatric Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityAbstract Our study aimed to explore the calcification patterns of culprit lesions associated with artery-to-artery embolism (AAE) infarction in patients with vertebrobasilar artery atherosclerosis, using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW-MRI) and computed tomography (CT). We retrospectively analyzed data from patients undergoing VW-MRI and CT scans at two institutions. Patients with ≥ 50% vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis were categorized based on their stroke mechanisms as AAE (+) and AAE (-). Calcification profiles of the culprit lesion, including the morphology, location, quantity, and VW-MRI characteristics were compared among stroke patients. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between vertebrobasilar artery calcification characteristics and the presence of AAE (+). Among the 151 stroke patients included, 56 (37.09%) were classified as AAE (+), while 95 (62.91%) as AAE (-). Multivariate regression analysis revealed the odds ratio of AAE (+) was 2.69 and 2.15 for the presence and count of spotty calcification, 3.33 for intimal-predominant calcification, and 3.65 for multiple calcifications. Calcification characteristics observed at the culprit lesion were associated with posterior circulation infarction in patients exhibiting AAE infarction. Understanding the relationship between intracranial artery calcification and stroke mechanisms may help clinicians improve stroke prevention and treatment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07229-6
spellingShingle Huan Yang
Haoyu Lu
Chen Xue
Liangjie Lin
Cuiyan Wang
Ximing Wang
Guiwen Yang
Qingqing Yin
Bo Liu
Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation
Scientific Reports
title Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation
title_full Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation
title_fullStr Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation
title_full_unstemmed Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation
title_short Association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery-to-artery embolism in the posterior circulation
title_sort association between vertebrobasilar artery calcification and artery to artery embolism in the posterior circulation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07229-6
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