Context: Stroke is responsible for death and disability in developing low and middle income countries like India. Colour Doppler ultrasound is a safe, low economical and non invasive tool for evaluation of extra cranial insufficiency of carotid arteries. Aims: To find the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis among acute ischemic stroke patients and to assess the association between carotid artery stenosis and modifiable risk factors like hypertension, smoking, diabetes and alcoholism. Settings and Design: An observational study at a tertiary care hospital for a period of two years in department of neurology after ethical committee approval. Methods and Material: Carotid Doppler ultrasonography and CT scan imaging was done in cases of acute ischemic stroke. Socio demographic data, risk factors, general and thorough clinical examination was done and findings were noted. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 for windows 8 was used for analysis. Results: 175 cases with 108 males and 67 females were included. 42.29% were above 50 years and mean age was 65 ± 4 years. Hypertension and diabetes were major and significant risk factors. 27.43% of cases presented with pure motor hemiplegia and site of lesion was in Capsulo ganglionic area. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) site is the most common territory involved and infarct was the common finding on CT scan. 33.06% of cases demonstrated severe carotid stenosis (>70%). 35.5% of cases had plaque in the carotid bulb. Conclusion: The role of colour Doppler Ultrasonography of carotid in assessing the carotid stenosis, plaque formation and atherosclerosis associated with multiple risk factors is justified.

Keywords: Acute Ischemic stroke; Carotid Doppler; Carotid stenosis; Plaque.