Quantitative Assessment of Hyperperfusion Using Arterial Spin Labeling to Predict Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Mechanical Endovascular Therapy

Objectives: This study was aimed to quantitatively assess hyperperfusion using arterial spin labeling (ASL) to predict hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

Methods: This study enrolled 98 AIS patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion within 24 h of symptom onset. ASL was performed before mechanical endovascular therapy. On pre-treatment ASL maps, a region with relative cerebral blood flow (CBF) ≥ 1.4 was defined as an area of hyperperfusion. The maximum CBF (CBF) of hyperperfusion was calculated for each patient. A non-contrast CT scan was performed during the subacute phase for the evaluation of HT. Good clinical outcome was defined as a 90-day modified Rankin scale score of 0-2.

Results: The CBF of hyperperfusion (odds ratio, 1.023; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005-1.042; p = 0.012) was an independent risk factor for the status of HT. The CBF of hyperperfusion for HT showed an area under the curve of 0.735 (95% CI, 0.588-0.882) with optimal cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity being 146.5 mL/100 g/min, 76.9%, and 69.6%, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between HT grades (from no HT to PH2) and CBF of hyperperfusion with a Spearman rank correlation of 0.446 (p = 0.001). In addition, low CBF of hyperperfusion were associated with good functional outcome (95% CI, 17.130-73.910; p = 0.002).

Conclusions: High CBF of hyperperfusion was independently associated with subsequent HT and low CBF of hyperperfusion linked to good functional outcome. There was a positive correlation between HT grade and CBF CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Arterial spin labeling is a noninvasive and contrast agent-independent technique, which is sensitive in detecting hyperperfusion. This study shows that the cerebral blood flow of hyperperfusion is associated with clinical prognosis, which will benefit more patients.

Key Points: • Quantitative assessment of hyperperfusion using pre-treatment arterial spin labeling to predict hemorrhagic transformation and prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients. • The maximum cerebral blood flow of hyperperfusion was associated with hemorrhagic transformation and clinical prognosis and higher maximum cerebral blood flow of hyperperfusion was associated with higher grade hemorrhagic transformation. • The maximum cerebral blood flow of hyperperfusion can predict hemorrhagic transformation which enables timely intervention to prevent parenchymal hematoma.