Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of MET mRNA in carotid artery plaques and the occurrence of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD), in order to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Method 97 ICVD patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy in our hospital from January 2021 to March 2023 were included. They were divided into vulnerable, non vulnerable, and coexisting groups based on the nature of the detected plaques. The MET mRNA of the stripped plaques was detected using qRT PCR method, and the correlation between MET mRNA and plaque nature, ICVD subtypes, and ICVD severity was analyzed. Results The mRNA expression levels in the vulnerable group, non vulnerable group, and coexisting group were 0.763 ± 0.047, 0.591 ± 0.039, and 0.708 ± 0.043, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels among patients with transient cerebral ischemia, cerebral infarction, cerebral steal syndrome, and chronic cerebral ischemia were 0.711 ± 0.068, 0.765 ± 0.077, 0.655 ± 0.071, and 0.671 ± 0.083, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels among patients with mild, moderate, moderate, and severe NIHSS grading were 0.642 ± 0.072, 0.671 ± 0.074, 0.754 ± 0.039, and 0.789 ± 0.051 respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The expression level of MET mRNA in carotid plaques was significantly correlated with plaque type, ICVD classification, NIHSS grading, carotid stenosis grading, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein, all P<0.05. Conclusion The expression of MET mRNA in carotid artery plaques is significantly correlated with the occurrence of ICVD, mainly by participating in the development of plaque instability leading to transient cerebral ischemia and stroke, and interacting with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.