Cerebral Hypoperfusion Intensity Ratio Is Linked to Progressive Early Edema Formation

Abstract

The hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) is associated with collateral status and reflects the impaired microperfusion of brain tissue in patients with acute ischemic stroke and large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). As a deterioration in cerebral blood flow is associated with brain edema, we aimed to investigate whether HIR is correlated with the early edema progression rate (EPR) determined by the ischemic net water uptake (NWU) in a multicenter retrospective analysis of AIS-LVO patients anticipated for thrombectomy treatment. HIR was automatically calculated as the ratio of time-to-maximum (TMax) > 10 s/(TMax) > 6 s. HIRs p p p = 0.003) and presentation of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (β: 0.2, SE: 0.0006; p = 0.001) were independently associated with EPR. In conclusion, favorable HIR was associated with lower early edema progression and decreased ischemic edema formation on baseline NCCT.

Keywords

• brain edema
• collateral circulation
• ischemic stroke
• perfusion imaging
• thrombectomy