Synthetic role of miR-200b-3p, ABCD² score, and carotid ultrasound in the prediction of cerebral infarction in patients with transient ischemic attack

Background: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a major risk factor for the occurrence of cerebral infarction (CI). This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the synthetic role of miR-200b-3p, ABCD² score, and carotid ultrasound for CI onset in patients with TIA.

Methods: Expression of miR-200b-3p was detected by reverse transcription quantitative PCR and carotid stenosis degree was evaluated using carotid ultrasound examination. Association of miR-200b-3p with ABCD² scores and carotid stenosis degree was assessed using t-test and chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to judge the ability of miR-200b-3p, ABCD² score, and carotid ultrasound to predict the occurrence of CI. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of miR-200b-3p and the accuracy of miR-200b-3p, ABCD² score, and carotid ultrasound in predicting CI development.

Results: Expression of serum miR-200b-3p was significantly increased in TIA patients compared with healthy controls, and had diagnostic value in TIA patients. Serum miR-200b-3p was significantly associated with dyslipidemia, ABCD² score, and carotid stenosis degree in TIA patients. ABCD² score, carotid stenosis degree, and serum miR-200b-3p were independently associated with CI onset, and the synthetic role of these three indicators had the best accuracy in the prediction of CI onset in TIA patients.

Conclusion: Serum miR-200b-3p expression was increased in TIA patients with considerable diagnostic value to screen TIA cases from healthy controls. Moreover, we speculated that the combination of miR-200b-3p, ABCD² score, and carotid stenosis degree by ultrasound may propose as an efficient predictive strategy for the prediction of CI in TIA patients.