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The effect of internal jugular vein reflux on ischemic stroke with cerebral microbleeds: a prospective clinical study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective Ischemic stroke combined with cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) might lead to the exacerbation of neurological deficits, and this prospective study was to evaluate whether internal jugular vein reflux (IJVR) could be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke with CMBs.Methods 71 patients meeting the criteria were enrolled and underwent head magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility-weighted imaging, ultrasound of the jugular vein, and other relevant examinations. Univariate, multivariate, and subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between IJVR and ischemic stroke with CMBs.Results There were 31 ischemic stroke patients with CMBs and 40 ischemic stroke patients without CMBs were included. Age, proportion of hypertension, IJVR, activated partial thromboplastin time, and blood uric acid level were all significantly higher in ischemic stroke patients with CMBs than in those without CMBs (p = 0.001, p = 0.023, p < 0.001, p = 0.037, and p = 0.042, respectively). Multivariate analysis suggested that IJVR was an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke in patients with CMBs (95% CI: 2.129–31.953, p = 0.002). The incidence of ischemic stroke with IJVR combined with CMBs or CMBs ≥ 10 was significantly higher than that of ischemic stroke without IJVR (p < 0.001 and p = 0.034, respectively). However, the subgroup analysis indicated that a longer duration or bilateral IJVR did not lead to a higher incidence of ischemic stroke with CMBs.Conclusion IJVR might be an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke with CMBs.

Source: Annals of Medicine

DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2670060