The single-phase CTA Clot Burden Score is independently associated with DSA ASITN collateral score.

OBJECTIVES: The variation in quality and quantity of collateral status (CS) is in part responsible for a wide variability in extent of neural damage following acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). Single-phase CTA based Clot Burden Score (CBS) is a promising marker in estimating CS. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship of pretreatment CTA based CBS with the reference standard DSA based American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology (ASITN) CS. METHODS: In this retrospective study, inclusion criteria were as follows: a) Anterior circulation LVO confirmed on CTA from 9/1/2017 to 10/01/2023; b) diagnostic CTA; and c) underwent MT with documented DSA CS. Spearman's rank correlation analysis, multivariate logistic regression and ROC analysis was performed to assess the correlation of CTA CBS with DSA CS. p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 292 consecutive patients (median age = 68 years; 56.2% female) met our inclusion criteria. CTA CBS and DSA CS showed significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.51, p < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis CBS was found to be independently associated with DSA CS (adjusted OR = 1.83, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.54-2.19), after adjusting for age, sex, race, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or TIA, atrial fibrillation, premorbid mRS, admission NIH stroke scale, and ASPECTS. ROC analysis of CBS in predicting good DSA CS showed AUC of 0.76 (p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.68-0.82). CBS threshold of > 6 has 84.6% sensitivity and 42.3% specificity in predicting good DSA CS. CONCLUSION: CTA CBS is independently associated with DSA CS and serves as a valuable supplementary tool for collateral status estimation. Further research is necessary to enhance our understanding of the role of CTA CBS in clinical decision-making for patients with AIS-LVO. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: CBS by indirectly estimating CS has shown to predict outcomes in AIS-LVO patients. No studies report association of CBS with reference standard DSA. In this study we further establish CBS as an independent marker of CS.

Relative Cerebral Blood Flow as an Indirect Imaging Surrogate in Patients With Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion and Association of Baseline Characteristics With Poor Collateral Status.

BACKGROUND: In acute ischemic stroke (AIS), collateral status (CS) is an important predictor of favorable outcomes in patients with AIS. Among quantitative cerebral perfusion parameters, relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) is considered an accurate perfusion-based indicator of CS. This study investigated the relationship between admission laboratory values, baseline characteristics, and CS as assessed by rCBF in patients with AIS-large vessel occlusion. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this retrospective multicenter study, consecutive patients presenting with AIS secondary to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent pretreatment computed tomography perfusion were included. The computed tomography perfusion data processed by RAPID (IschemaView, Menlo Park, CA) generated the rCBF. Binary logistic regression models assessed the relationship between patients' baseline characteristics, admission laboratory values, and poor CS. The primary outcome measure was the presence of poor CS, which was defined as rCBF <38% at a lesion size ≥27 mL. Between January 2017 and September 2022, there were 221 consecutive patients with AIS-large vessel occlusion included in our study (mean age 67.0±15.8 years, 119 men [53.8%]). Logistic regression showed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.98 [1.59-5.59]; P=0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR, 5.18 [2.44-11.0]; P<0.001), admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥12 (OR, 5.17 [2.36-11.36]; P<0.001), and systolic blood pressure <140 (OR, 2.00 [1.07-3.76]; P=0.030) were associated with poor CS. CONCLUSIONS: Higher stroke severity on admission with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥12, systolic blood pressure <140, chronic kidney disease, and male sex are statistically significantly associated with poor CS in patients with AIS due to anterior circulation large vessel occlusion as defined by rCBF <38%.

Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio as an Indirect Imaging Surrogate in Patients With Anterior Circulation Large-Vessel Occlusion and Association of Baseline Characteristics With Poor Collateral Status.

BACKGROUND: Collateral status (CS) plays a crucial role in infarct growth rate, risk of postthrombectomy hemorrhage, and overall clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to anterior circulation large-vessel occlusions (LVOs). Hypoperfusion intensity ratio has been previously validated as an indirect noninvasive pretreatment imaging biomarker of CS. In addition to imaging, derangements in admission laboratory findings can also influence outcomes in patients with AIS-LVO. Therefore, our study aims to assess the relationship between admission laboratory findings, baseline characteristics, and CS, as assessed by hypoperfusion intensity ratio in patients with AIS-LVO. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients presenting with AIS secondary to anterior circulation LVO who underwent pretreatment computed tomography perfusion were included. The computed tomography perfusion data processed by RAPID (Ischema View, Menlo Park, CA) generated the hypoperfusion intensity ratio. Binary logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between patients' baseline characteristics, admission laboratory findings, and poor CS. A total of 221 consecutive patients with AIS-LVO between January 2017 and September 2022 were included in our study (mean±SD age, 67.0±15.8 years; 119 men [53.8%]). Multivariable logistic regression showed that patients with AIS caused by cardioembolic and cryptogenic causes (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.67; 95% CI, 1.20-5.97; P=0.016), those who presented with admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥12 (adjusted OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.61-6.04; P=0.001), and male patients (adjusted OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.13-3.77; P=0.018) were associated with poor CS. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke caused by cardioembolic or cryptogenic causes, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥12, and male sex were associated with poor CS, as defined by hypoperfusion intensity ratio in the patients with AIS-LVO.

The Los Angeles motor scale (LAMS) is independently associated with CT perfusion collateral status markers.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Los Angeles Motor Scale (LAMS) is an objective tool that has been used to rapidly assess and predict the presence of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the pre-hospital setting successfully in several studies. However, studies assessing the relationship between LAMS score and CT perfusion collateral status (CS) markers such as cerebral blood volume (CBV) index, and hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) are sparse. Our study therefore aims to assess the association of admission LAMS score with established CTP CS markers CBV Index and HIR in AIS-LVO cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospectively collected, retrospectively reviewed analysis, inclusion criteria were as follows: a) CT angiography (CTA) confirmed anterior circulation LVO from 9/1/2017 to 10/01/2023, and b) diagnostic CT perfusion (CTP). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between admission LAMS with CTP CS markers HIR and CBV Index. p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 285 consecutive patients (median age = 69 years; 56 % female) met our inclusion criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for sex, age, ASPECTS, tPA, premorbid mRS, admission NIH stroke scale, prior history of TIA, stroke, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and hypertension, admission LAMS was found to be independently associated with CBV Index (adjusted OR:0.82, p < 0.01), and HIR (adjusted OR:0.59, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LAMS is independently associated with CTP CS markers, CBV index and HIR. This finding suggests that LAMS may also provide an indirect estimate of CS.

Molecular Mechanisms of Ischemic Stroke: A Review Integrating Clinical Imaging and Therapeutic Perspectives.

Ischemic stroke poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating ongoing exploration of its pathophysiology and treatment strategies. This comprehensive review integrates various aspects of ischemic stroke research, emphasizing crucial mechanisms, therapeutic approaches, and the role of clinical imaging in disease management. It discusses the multifaceted role of Netrin-1, highlighting its potential in promoting neurovascular repair and mitigating post-stroke neurological decline. It also examines the impact of blood-brain barrier permeability on stroke outcomes and explores alternative therapeutic targets such as statins and sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling. Neurocardiology investigations underscore the contribution of cardiac factors to post-stroke mortality, emphasizing the importance of understanding the brain-heart axis for targeted interventions. Additionally, the review advocates for early reperfusion and neuroprotective agents to counter-time-dependent excitotoxicity and inflammation, aiming to preserve tissue viability. Advanced imaging techniques, including DWI, PI, and MR angiography, are discussed for their role in evaluating ischemic penumbra evolution and guiding therapeutic decisions. By integrating molecular insights with imaging modalities, this interdisciplinary approach enhances our understanding of ischemic stroke and offers promising avenues for future research and clinical interventions to improve patient outcomes.

CT Perfusion Derived rCBV < 42% Lesion Volume Is Independently Associated with Followup FLAIR Infarct Volume in Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion.

Pretreatment CT Perfusion (CTP) parameter rCBV < 42% lesion volume has recently been shown to predict 90-day mRS. In this study, we aim to assess the relationship between rCBV < 42% and a radiographic follow-up infarct volume delineated on FLAIR images. In this retrospective evaluation of our prospectively collected database, we included acute stroke patients triaged by multimodal CT imaging, including CT angiography and perfusion imaging, with confirmed anterior circulation large vessel occlusion between 9 January 2017 and 10 January 2023. Follow-up FLAIR imaging was used to determine the final infarct volume. Student t, Mann-Whitney-U, and Chi-Square tests were used to assess differences. Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression analysis were used to assess associations between rCBV < 42% and follow-up infarct volume on FLAIR. In total, 158 patients (median age: 68 years, 52.5% female) met our inclusion criteria. rCBV < 42% (ρ = 0.56, p < 0.001) significantly correlated with follow-up-FLAIR infarct volume. On multivariable linear regression analysis, rCBV < 42% lesion volume (beta = 0.60, p < 0.001), ASPECTS (beta = -0.214, p < 0.01), mTICI (beta = -0.277, p < 0.001), and diabetes (beta = 0.16, p < 0.05) were independently associated with follow-up infarct volume. The rCBV < 42% lesion volume is independently associated with FLAIR follow-up infarct volume.

The Relative Cerebral Blood Volume (rCBV) < 42% Is Independently Associated with Collateral Status in Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion.

Background: The pretreatment CT perfusion (CTP) marker the relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) < 42% lesion volume has recently been shown to predict 90-day functional outcomes; however, studies assessing correlations of the rCBV < 42% lesion volume with other outcomes remain sparse. Here, we aim to assess the relationship between the rCBV < 42% lesion volume and the reference standard digital subtraction angiography (DSA)-derived American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN) collateral score, hereby referred as the DSA CS. Methods: In this retrospective evaluation of our prospectively collected database, we included acute stroke patients triaged by multimodal CT imaging, including CT angiography and perfusion imaging, with confirmed anterior circulation large vessel occlusion between 1 September 2017 and 1 October 2023. Group differences were assessed using the Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-Square test. Spearman's rank correlation and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between rCBV < 42% and DSA CS. Results: In total, 222 patients (median age: 69 years, 56.3% female) met our inclusion criteria. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, taking into account age, sex, race, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, the admission National Institute of Health stroke scale, the premorbid modified Rankin score, the Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS), and segment occlusion, the rCBV < 42% lesion volume (adjusted OR: 0.98, p < 0.05) was independently associated with the DSA CS. Conclusion: The rCBV < 42% lesion volume is independently associated with the DSA CS.

CT perfusion based rCBF <38% volume is independently and negatively associated with digital subtraction angiography collateral score in anterior circulation large vessel occlusions.

BACKGROUND: Collateral status (CS) is an important biomarker of functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). Pretreatment CT perfusion (CTP) parameters serve as reliable surrogates of collateral status (CS). In this study, we aim to assess the relationship between the relative cerebral blood flow less than 38% (rCBF <38%), with the reference standard American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology (ASITN) collateral score (CS) on DSA. METHODS: In this prospectively collected, retrospectively reviewed analysis, inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) CT angiography (CTA) confirmed anterior circulation large vessel occlusion from 9/1/2017 to 10/01/2023; (b) diagnostic CT perfusion; and (c) underwent mechanical thrombectomy with documented ASITN CS. The ratios of the CTP-derived CBF values were calculated by dividing the values of the ischemic lesion by the corresponding values of the contralateral normal region (which were defined as rCBF). Spearman's rank correlation and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the relationship of rCBF <38% lesion volume with DSA ASITN CS. p ≤ .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 223 patients [mean age: 67.77 ± 15.76 years, 56.1% (n = 125) female] met our inclusion criteria. Significant negative correlation was noted between rCBF <38% volume and DSA CS (ρ = -0.37, p < .001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, rCBF <38% volume was found to be independently associated with worse ASITN CS (unadjusted OR: 3.03, 95% CI: 1.60-5.69, p < .001, and adjusted OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.34-5.50, p < .01). CONCLUSION: Greater volume of tissue with rCBF <38% is independently associated with better DSA CS. rCBF <38% is a useful adjunct tool in collateralization-based prognostication. Future studies are needed to expand our understanding of the role of rCBF <38% within the decision-making in patients with AIS-LVO.