Objective        To retrospectively analyze the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings of distribution of cerebrovascular stenosis in 2 810 cases with ischemic cerebrovascular disease

and to determine the risk factors of cerebral artery stenosis.       Methods        A total of 2 810 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease undergoing DSA in our department from January 2003 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study. DSA results were collected to analyze the intracranial and extracranial stenosis. The extents of s

tenoses were categorized as mild (50%)

moderate (50% to 69%)

severe (69% to 99%)

and occluded. Conventional atherosclerotic risk factors were collected and analyzed.       Results        Among this cohort of patients

intracranial vascular stenosis accounted for 30.90%

while extracranial artery stenosis for 69.10%. The distribution of cerebral artery stenosis was significantly different in different age groups (

P

0.05). Anterior circulation lesions accounted for 81.19%

and posterior circulation disease for 18.81%. There was significant difference in the extent of stenosis between the anterior and posterior circulation lesions (

P

=0.403). The prevalence of cerebral vascular stenosis was significantly higher in those with advanced age

male gender

smoking

alcohol consumption

hypertension

diabetes and hyperlipidemia (

P

0.05). Advanced age and smoking patients had significantly narrower extracranial stenosis than intracranial vessels (

P

0.05).       Conclusion        The prevalence of extracranial stenosis is significantly higher than the intracranial stenosis in these patients. Advanced age

male

smoking

alcohol

hypertension

diabetes and hyperlipidemia are risk factors for cerebral vascular stenosis. Advanced age and smoking are risk factors for extracranial stenosis.