Objective To investigate the stroke occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its related factors, especially the carotid atherosclerosis. Methods The data of stroke occurrence in 700 CKD patients hospitalized in Renji Hospital during 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. The incidences of stroke were compared among CKD [Ⅰ-Ⅱ, CKD Ⅲ-Ⅴ non-dialysis patients and dialysis patients. Carotid atherosclerosis of 409 CKD patients was examined by color Doppler ultrasound. The related factors were selected by Spearmnan correlation analysis and Logistic regression analysis. Results Of 700 CKD patients, 67 cases (9.57%) experienced at least one episode of stroke, which was much higher than that of general population. The related factors of stroke in CKD included GFR, age, SBP, CRP, Lpa, serum glucose, pre-albumin, HDL and carotid atherosclerosis. Logistic regression revealed that SBP (β=1.021, P=0.042), CRP (β=1.008, P=0.024) and carotid atherosclerosis (β =3.456, P=0.025) were risk factors of stroke in CKD. Incidence of carotid atherosclerosis was high (50.37%) in CKD patients, besides it was significantly higher in CKD patients with stroke history as compared to those without stroke history (80.0% vs 47.4%, P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of stroke is quite high in CKD patients, which is closely associated with hypertension, inflammation and glyeolipid metabolism disorder. Carotid atherosclerosis is common in CKD patients with stroke, which may be helpful in screening cerebrovascular diseases in CKD patients.