AT the 2025 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, researchers presented compelling new data showing a sharp increase in hospitalizations for cervical artery dissection, a potentially life-threatening cause of stroke, particularly in adults under 50.
The study revealed that over a 15-year period, U.S. hospitalizations for this vascular injury surged nearly five-fold, from 11 per million people in 2005 to 46 per million in 2019. Cervical artery dissection occurs when a tear forms in the wall of an artery supplying blood to the brain, sometimes triggered by trauma like motor vehicle accidents or even seemingly minor injuries such as heavy lifting.
“Cervical artery dissection is an important cause of stroke in younger individuals, and our findings show a consistent rise in cases year after year,” said study author Shadi Yaghi, MD, of Brown University. “It’s crucial that we improve prevention and treatment strategies to reduce the stroke burden.”
The analysis drew from a national sample of 125,102 hospitalizations, revealing an average annual increase of 10% in dissection rates. Strikingly, the growth rate was even higher among some racial and ethnic groups: 16% for Hispanic participants, 13% for Black participants, and 12% for Asian or Pacific Islander participants. The annual increase was 8% among white individuals.
Older adults also saw a faster rise in incidence, 12% annually for those aged 65+, compared to 8% for those under 65.
Researchers suggest that enhanced clinician awareness, better imaging access, and a possible real increase in the condition may be driving the trend. However, they noted that undiagnosed cases were not captured in the data, potentially underestimating the true burden.
With over half of affected patients also experiencing stroke during hospitalization, the findings highlight a growing neurological threat, and the urgency of early detection and effective intervention.
Reference: AAN. Study finds nearly five-fold increase in hospitalizations for common cause of stroke. April 2, 2025. Available at: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5249. Last accessed: April 6, 2025.
