Abstract
Background:
Almost half of large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke patients have unfavorable outcomes despite successful endovascular revascularization. We aim to characterize post-revascularization cerebral blood flow (CBF) determined by transcranial Doppler (TCD) and explore whether abnormal CBF associates with in-hospital outcomes in this population.
Methods:
We analyzed 105 stroke patients with anterior circulation LVO who had successful endovascular revascularization (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction 2b-3) and CBF assessment by TCD within 48 hours of recanalization. TCD parameters recorded at the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery included mean flow velocity, peak systolic velocity, pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI). CBF was classified according to the Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia (TIBI) score into dampened flow (score of 3), stenotic flow (score of 4), and normal flow (score of 5). We explored unadjusted associations between post-revascularization CBF and hospitalization outcomes including reduced disability at discharge (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-2), home disposition, and in-hospital mortality.
Results:
Table 1 summarizes study population characteristics. Overall, 62 (59.1%) individuals had normal CBF, 29 (27.6%) had stenotic flow, and 14 (13.3%) had dampened flow. Patients with abnormal CBF showed a trend towards lower likelihood of mRS 0-2 at discharge (32.1% vs. 44.2%; p=0.20) and home disposition (28.1% vs. 46.6%; p=0.08). TCD parameters were not associated with disability at discharge or home disposition. However, in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with elevated PI (1.3 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.5; p<0.01) and RI (0.7 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1; p<0.01).
Conclusion:
A noteworthy fraction of anterior circulation LVO stroke patients had TCD-defined abnormal CBF despite successful revascularization. Abnormal CBF and increased vascular resistance may relate to unfavorable outcomes in this population.