Role of Two-Dimensional Echocardiography and Carotid Doppler Ultrasonography in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Their Association with Lipid Profile: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major modifiable risk factor for ischemic stroke and is associated with accelerated systemic atherosclerosis. Carotid artery disease and structural cardiac abnormalities are common in diabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke and significantly influence stroke mechanism, recurrence, and prognosis. Two-dimensional echocardiography and carotid Doppler ultrasonography are readily available, non-invasive imaging modalities that aid in identifying potential cardiac and extracranial vascular abnormalities. However, limited data exist regarding their combined role in diabetic stroke patients in Indian tertiary care settings. The objective is to evaluate the role of two-dimensional echocardiography and carotid Doppler ultrasonography in patients with acute ischemic stroke and diabetes mellitus and to determine their association with lipid profile abnormalities. Material and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 118 adult patients with acute ischemic stroke and diabetes mellitus admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, fasting lipid profile, transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography, and carotid Doppler ultrasonography. Echocardiographic abnormalities, carotid plaque characteristics, degree of stenosis, and lipid parameters were analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: The majority of patients were males and belonged to the 61–70-year age group. Hypertension was the most common associated comorbidity. Carotid Doppler demonstrated a high prevalence of carotid atherosclerotic changes, while two-dimensional echocardiography identified several structural cardiac abnormalities. Dyslipidaemia was frequently observed, with elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and reduced HDL cholesterol showing significant association with carotid atherosclerosis and abnormal echocardiographic findings. Conclusion: Combined assessment using two-dimensional echocardiography, carotid Doppler ultrasonography, and lipid profile provides valuable information regarding cardiovascular risk stratification in diabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke. Early identification of cardiac and carotid abnormalities may facilitate individualized secondary prevention strategies and improve long-term outcomes.

Keywords: Acute ischemic stroke, Diabetes mellitus, Carotid Doppler, Two-dimensional echocardiography, dyslipidaemia, Carotid stenosis, Lipid profile.