Evaluating recanalization of relevant lenticulostriate arteries in acute ischemic stroke using high-resolution MRA at 7T

Background Occluded major intracranial arteries can spontaneously recanalize in patients with acute ischemic stroke mainly due to embolic mechanisms. However, it remains unknown whether recanalization can occur in perforating arteries, such as lenticulostriate arteries. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed changes suggesting recanalization of the lenticulostriate arteries in patients with acute ischemic stroke of the lenticulostriate artery territory using high-resolution magnetic resonance angiography (HR-MRA) at 7T. Methods We prospectively examined 39 consecutive patients with acute infarcts confined within the lenticulostriate artery territory. Using a 7T scanner during the acute period and one month thereafter, we evaluated imaging findings indicating the recanalization of the relevant lenticulostriate arteries, following which we examined differences in other imaging findings and clinical characteristics between patients with/without recanalization. Results HR-MRA findings suggestive of recanalization (i.e. patent lenticulostriate arteries within acute infarct lesions with/without hemorrhagic changes) were observed in 8 (25%) of 32 patients who were eligible for analyses. These findings were detected in three and five patients on the baseline and follow-up images, respectively. The lengths of relevant lenticulostriate arteries on the follow-up MRA were significantly larger in patients with recanalization than in those without ( P = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in the infarct volume or clinical outcomes between the recanalization and non-recanalization groups. Conclusion HR-MRA at 7T revealed that recanalization of the relevant lenticulostriate arteries can occur in patients with acute ischemic stroke confined to the lenticulostriate artery territory.

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Detecting lenticulostriate artery lesions in patients with acute ischemic stroke using high-resolution MRA at 7 T

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493018806163 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 290-297 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Haruna Miyazawa ◽

Tatsunori Natori ◽

Hiroyuki Kameda ◽

Makoto Sasaki ◽

Hideki Ohba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

High Resolution ◽

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Direct Visualization ◽

Ultrahigh Field ◽

Lenticulostriate Arteries ◽

Lenticulostriate Artery ◽

Field Systems

Background Recent advances in high-resolution (HR) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) using ultrahigh-field systems enable direct visualization of the lenticulostriate arteries (LSAs), which had been hardly achieved by conventional MRA. Hence, by using HR-MRA at 7 T, we attempted to assess occlusive changes in the LSAs in patients with LSA territorial infarcts. Methods We prospectively examined 34 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke in the LSA territory using a 7 T scanner. We measured the lengths of the relevant LSAs on HR-MRA and the diameters/volume of the infarcts and compared these between the patients with/without occlusive changes in the LSAs. Results On HR-MRA, occlusion of the LSAs was observed in 19 (59%) of 32 patients who were eligible for the analyses. The curved/straight lengths of the LSAs in the patients with LSA occlusion (23.1–31.1/17.8–24.3 mm) were significantly shorter than in those without apparent LSA occlusion (25.8–39.5/24.0–30.4 mm) ( P = 0.027/0.003). The anteroposterior/superoinferior diameters of the infarcts were significantly larger in the occluded-LSA group (14.5–21.4/14.9–22.2 mm) than in the intact-LSA group (10.9–16.8/10.8–16.2 mm) ( P = 0.041/0.011). In addition, the curved lengths of the relevant LSAs showed significant correlations with the superoinferior diameters of the infarcts ( r = 0.38, P = 0.034). Conclusion Occlusive changes in the LSAs were frequently found in patients with acute ischemic stroke within the LSA territory when using HR-MRA at 7 T and were substantially related to superoinferior extension of the infarcts.

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Abstract P538: A Detailed Analysis of Intracranial Hemorrhage After Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Large Vessel Occlusion in the Escape-NA1 Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.52.suppl_1.p538 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Johanna Ospel ◽

Michael D Hill ◽

Nima Kashani ◽

Arnuv Mayank ◽

Nishita Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Intracranial Hemorrhage ◽

Intraventricular Hemorrhage ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Prognostic Impact ◽

Vessel Occlusion ◽

Good Outcome

Purpose: We investigated the prevalence and prognostic impact on outcome of any intracranial hemorrhage, hemorrhage morphology, type and volume in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: Prevalence of intracranial hemorrhage, hemorrhage type, morphology and volume was determined on 24h follow-up imaging (non contrast head CT or gradient-echo/susceptibility-weighted MRI). Proportions of good outcome (mRS 0-2 at 90 days) were reported for patients with vs. without any intracranial hemorrhage. Multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for key minimization variables and total infarct volume was performed to obtain adjusted effect size estimates for hemorrhage type and volume on good outcome. Results: Hemorrhage on follow up-imaging was seen in 372/1097 (33.9%) patients, among them 126 (33.9%) with hemorrhagic infarction (HI) type 1, 108 (29.0%) with HI-2, 72 /19.4%) with parenchymal hematoma (PH) type 1, 37 (10.0) with PH2, 8 (2.2%) with remote PH and 21 (5.7%) with extra-parenchymal/intraventricular hemorrhage. Good outcomes were less often achieved by patients with hemorrhage on follow-up imaging (164/369 [44.4%] vs. 500/720 [69.4%]). Any type of intracranial hemorrhage was strongly associated with decreased chances of good outcome ( adj OR 0.62 [CI 95 0.44 - 0.87]). The effect of hemorrhage was driven by both PH hemorrhage sub-type [PH-1 ( adj OR 0.39 [CI 95 0.21 - 0.72]), PH-2 ( adj OR 0.15 [CI 95 0.05 - 0.50])] and extra-parenchymal/intraventricular hemorrhage ( adj OR 0.60 (0.20-1.78) Petechial hemorrhages (HI-1 and HI-2) were not associated with poorer outcomes. Hemorrhage volume ( adj OR 0.97 [CI 95 0.05 - 0.99] per ml increase) was significantly associated with decreased chances of good outcome. Conclusion: Presence of any hemorrhage on follow-up imaging was seen in one third of patients and strongly associated with decreased chances of good outcome.

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Abstract 3681: Early Anticoagulation Is Not Associated With Hemorrhagic Transformation Of Ischemic Stroke In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.43.suppl_1.a3681 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

H. B Brouwers ◽

Svetlana Lorenzano ◽

Lyndsey H Starks ◽

David M Greer ◽

Steven K Feske ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Clinical Data ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Hemorrhagic Transformation ◽

P Value ◽

Long Term Outcome ◽

Nihss Score

Purpose: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a common and potentially devastating complication of ischemic stroke, however its prevalence, predictors, and outcome remain unclear. Early anticoagulation is thought to be a risk factor for HT which raises the clinical question when to (re)start anticoagulation in ischemic stroke patients who have a compelling indication, such as atrial fibrillation. We conducted a prospective cohort study to address this question and to identify association of hemorrhagic transformation with outcome measures in patients with atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study which enrolled consecutive patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke presenting to a single center over a three-year period. As part of the observational study, baseline clinical data and stroke characteristics as well as 3 month functional outcome were collected. For this sub-study, we restricted the analysis to subjects diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. CT and MRI scans were reviewed by experienced readers, blinded to clinical data, to assess for hemorrhagic transformation (using ECASS 2 criteria), microbleeds and infarct volumes in both admission and follow-up scans. Clinical and outcome data were analyzed for association with hemorrhagic transformation. Results: Of 94 patients, 63 had a history of atrial fibrillation (67.0%) and 31 had newly discovered atrial fibrillation (33.0%). We identified HT in 3 of 94 baseline scans (3.2%) and 22 of 48 follow-up scans (45.8%) obtained a median of 3 days post-stroke. In-hospital initiation of either anti-platelet (n = 36; OR 0.34 [95% CI 0.10-1.16], p-value = 0.09) or anticoagulation with unfractionated intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (n = 72; OR 0.25 [95% CI 0.06-1.15], p-value = 0.08) was not associated with HT. Initial NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (median 13.0 [IQR 15.0] vs. 7.0 [IQR 10.0], p-value = 0.029) and baseline infarct volume (median 17 [IQR 42.03] vs. 5 [IQR 10.95], p-value = 0.011) were significantly higher in patients with HT compared to those without. Hemorrhagic transformation was associated with a significantly higher 48-hour median NIHSS score (20 [IQR 3.0] vs. 2 [IQR 3.25], p-value = 0.007) and larger final infarct volume (81.40 [IQR 82.75] vs. 9.95 [IQR 19.73], p-value < 0.001). Finally, we found a trend towards poorer 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores in subjects with HT (OR 11.25 [95% CI 0.97-130.22], p-value = 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with atrial fibrillation, initial NIHSS score and baseline infarct volume are associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke. Early initiation of antithrombotic therapy was not associated with hemorrhagic transformation. Patients with hemorrhagic transformation were found to have a poorer short and long term outcome and larger final infarct volumes.

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Computed Tomography Perfusion–Based Machine Learning Model Better Predicts Follow-Up Infarction in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.030092 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 223-231

Author(s):

Hulin Kuang ◽

Wu Qiu ◽

Anna M. Boers ◽

Scott Brown ◽

Keith Muir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Cerebral Blood Flow ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Time Dependent ◽

Computed Tomography Perfusion

Background and Purpose: Prediction of infarct extent among patients with acute ischemic stroke using computed tomography perfusion is defined by predefined discrete computed tomography perfusion thresholds. Our objective is to develop a threshold-free computed tomography perfusion–based machine learning (ML) model to predict follow-up infarct in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Sixty-eight patients from the PRoveIT study (Measuring Collaterals With Multi-Phase CT Angiography in Patients With Ischemic Stroke) were used to derive a ML model using random forest to predict follow-up infarction voxel by voxel, and 137 patients from the HERMES study (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials) were used to test the derived ML model. Average map, T max , cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and time variables including stroke onset-to-imaging and imaging-to-reperfusion time, were used as features to train the ML model. Spatial and volumetric agreement between the ML model predicted follow-up infarct and actual follow-up infarct were assessed. Relative cerebral blood flow <0.3 threshold using RAPID software and time-dependent T max thresholds were compared with the ML model. Results: In the test cohort (137 patients), median follow-up infarct volume predicted by the ML model was 30.9 mL (interquartile range, 16.4–54.3 mL), compared with a median 29.6 mL (interquartile range, 11.1–70.9 mL) of actual follow-up infarct volume. The Pearson correlation coefficient between 2 measurements was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.74–0.86, P <0.001) while the volumetric difference was −3.2 mL (interquartile range, −16.7 to 6.1 mL). Volumetric difference with the ML model was smaller versus the relative cerebral blood flow <0.3 threshold and the time-dependent T max threshold ( P <0.001). Conclusions: A ML using computed tomography perfusion data and time estimates follow-up infarction in patients with acute ischemic stroke better than current methods.

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Automatic segmentation of cerebral infarcts in follow-up computed tomography images with convolutional neural networks

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-015471 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 848-852 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Renan Sales Barros ◽

Manon L Tolhuisen ◽

Anna MM Boers ◽

Ivo Jansen ◽

Elena Ponomareva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neural Networks ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Convolutional Neural Networks ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Automatic Segmentation ◽

Ct Images ◽

Reference Standard ◽

Computed Tomography Images

Background and purposeInfarct volume is a valuable outcome measure in treatment trials of acute ischemic stroke and is strongly associated with functional outcome. Its manual volumetric assessment is, however, too demanding to be implemented in clinical practice.ObjectiveTo assess the value of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in the automatic segmentation of infarct volume in follow-up CT images in a large population of patients with acute ischemic stroke.Materials and methodsWe included CT images of 1026 patients from a large pooling of patients with acute ischemic stroke. A reference standard for the infarct segmentation was generated by manual delineation. We introduce three CNN models for the segmentation of subtle, intermediate, and severe hypodense lesions. The fully automated infarct segmentation was defined as the combination of the results of these three CNNs. The results of the three-CNNs approach were compared with the results from a single CNN approach and with the reference standard segmentations.ResultsThe median infarct volume was 48 mL (IQR 15–125 mL). Comparison between the volumes of the three-CNNs approach and manually delineated infarct volumes showed excellent agreement, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.88. Even better agreement was found for severe and intermediate hypodense infarcts, with ICCs of 0.98 and 0.93, respectively. Although the number of patients used for training in the single CNN approach was much larger, the accuracy of the three-CNNs approach strongly outperformed the single CNN approach, which had an ICC of 0.34.ConclusionConvolutional neural networks are valuable and accurate in the quantitative assessment of infarct volumes, for both subtle and severe hypodense infarcts in follow-up CT images. Our proposed three-CNNs approach strongly outperforms a more straightforward single CNN approach.

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Endovascular Treatment Effect Diminishes With Increasing Thrombus Perviousness

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.033124 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Manon Kappelhof ◽

Manon L. Tolhuisen ◽

Kilian M. Treurniet ◽

Bruna G. Dutra ◽

Heitor Alves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Treatment Allocation ◽

Common Odds Ratio

Background and Purpose: Thrombus perviousness estimates residual flow along a thrombus in acute ischemic stroke, based on radiological images, and may influence the benefit of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to investigate potential endovascular treatment (EVT) effect modification by thrombus perviousness. Methods: We included 443 patients with thin-slice imaging available, out of 1766 patients from the pooled HERMES (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke trials) data set of 7 randomized trials on EVT in the early window (most within 8 hours). Control arm patients (n=233) received intravenous alteplase if eligible (212/233; 91%). Intervention arm patients (n=210) received additional EVT (prior alteplase in 178/210; 85%). Perviousness was quantified by thrombus attenuation increase on admission computed tomography angiography compared with noncontrast computed tomography. Multivariable regression analyses were performed including multiplicative interaction terms between thrombus attenuation increase and treatment allocation. In case of significant interaction, subgroup analyses by treatment arm were performed. Our primary outcome was 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score), resulting in an adjusted common odds ratio for a one-step shift towards improved outcome. Secondary outcomes were mortality, successful reperfusion (extended Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score, 2B–3), and follow-up infarct volume (in mL). Results: Increased perviousness was associated with improved functional outcome. After adding a multiplicative term of thrombus attenuation increase and treatment allocation, model fit improved significantly ( P =0.03), indicating interaction between perviousness and EVT benefit. Control arm patients showed significantly better outcomes with increased perviousness (adjusted common odds ratio, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.1–1.3]). In the EVT arm, no significant association was found (adjusted common odds ratio, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.9–1.1]), and perviousness was not significantly associated with successful reperfusion. Follow-up infarct volume (12% [95% CI, 7.0–17] per 5 Hounsfield units) and chance of mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.70–0.97]) decreased with higher thrombus attenuation increase in the overall population, without significant treatment interaction. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the benefit of best medical care including alteplase, compared with additional EVT, increases in patients with more pervious thrombi.

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Intravenous fibrinolysis plus endovascular thrombectomy versus direct endovascular thrombectomy for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke: clinical and infarct volume results.

10.21203/rs.2.482/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Massimo Gamba ◽

Nicola Gilberti ◽

Enrico Premi ◽

Angelo Costa ◽

Michele Frigerio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Safety Profile ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Intravenous Thrombolysis ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Endovascular Thrombectomy ◽

Symptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Abstract Background and Purpose endovascular therapy (ET) is the standard of care for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO). The role of adjunctive intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in these patients is still unclear. The present study aims to test whether IVT plus ET (CoT, combined therapy) provides additional benefits over direct ET for anterior circulation AIS by LVO. Methods we performed a single center retrospective observational study of patients with AIS caused by anterior circulation LVO, referred to our center between January 2014 and January 2017 and treated with ET. The patients were divided in 2 groups based on the treatment they received: CoT and, if IVT contraindicated, direct ET. We compared functional recovery (modified Rankin at 3-months follow-up), recanalization rate (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction [TICI] score) and time, early follow-up infarct volume (EFIV) (for recanalized patients only) as well as safety profile, defined as symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) and 3-month mortality, between groups. Results 145 subjects were included in the study, 70 in direct ET group and 75 in CoT group. Patients who received CoT presented more frequently a functional independence at 3-months follow-up compared to patients who received direct ET (mRS score 0-1: 48.5% vs 18.6%; P<0.001. mRS score 0-2: 67.1% vs 37.3%; P<0.001), higher first-pass success rate (62.7% vs 38.6%, P<0.05), higher recanalization rate (84.3% vs 65.3%; P=0.009) and, in recanalized subjects, smaller EFIV (16.4ml vs 62.3ml; P=0.003). The safety profile was similar for the 2 groups. In multivariable regression analysis, low baseline NIHSS score (P<0.05), vessel recanalization (P=0.05) and CoT (P=0.03) were indipendent predictors of 3-month favorable outcome. Conclusions CoT appears more effective than ET alone for anterior circulation AIS with LVO, with similar safety profile.

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Mediation of the Relationship Between Endovascular Therapy and Functional Outcome by Follow-up Infarct Volume in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

JAMA Neurology ◽

10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.3661 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (2) ◽

pp. 194 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Anna M. M. Boers ◽

Ivo G. H. Jansen ◽

Scott Brown ◽

Hester F. Lingsma ◽

Ludo F. M. Beenen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Endovascular Therapy ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

The Relationship

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Abstract W P17: Factors Associated With DWI Lesion Growth After Endovascular Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.45.suppl_1.wp17 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shumei Man ◽

M. Shazam Hussain ◽

Dolora Wisco ◽

Esteban Cheng-ching ◽

Toshiya Osanai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

Cleveland Clinic ◽

Antiplatelet Agents ◽

Lesion Size ◽

Anterior Circulation ◽

Ischemic Lesion ◽

Large Growth

Background: The factors impacting infarct evolution after intra-arterial(IA) intervention for acute ischemic stroke remain uncertain. We studied the infarct evolution on MRI DWI among acute stroke patients who underwent IA therapy. Methods: We reviewed the early ischemic stroke imaging database at Cleveland Clinic Cerebrovascular Center for those undergoing IA therapy in anterior circulation from 2009 to 2012. Patients with both pre-treatment and follow-up MRI were included. Infarct volume was measured on initial and follow-up DWI by region of interest demarcation. Patients were grouped into quartiles by infarct growth from initial to follow-up. Outcome were defined as modified Rankin Score 0-2 at 30 days. Results: Among the 76 patients, the median (range) infarct growth of four quartiles were 0.5 cc (-19.1-4.2), 13.8 cc (4.8-25.8), 38.8 cc (28.0-77.6), and 166.3 cc (78.0-314.5). Baseline characteristics of age, gender, race, diabetes, and hypertension were similar among groups except more smokers (p=0.017) and fewer patients on anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents in large-growth group (p=0.049). Compared to No-growth group (Quartile 1), large-growth group (Quartile 4) had more Hyperdense M1 MCA sign ( 26.3% vs 73.7%, p=0.004), larger initial ischemic lesion measured by CT ASPECT (p=0.002) and DWI volume (p=0.012), and absence of full collaterals on CTA ( 36.8% vs 0, p=0.004). There was a trend of lower recanalization rate in large-growth group (73.7% vs 47.4%, p=0.097). With the increment of infarct growth, there is a decrement in favorable outcomes (mRS 0-2) at 30 days: 42%, 37%, 26% and 10.5% (p=0.027). Conclusion: Infarct growth after IA therapy determines outcome. Initial ischemic lesion size, collaterals, and hyperdense vessel sign are associated with infarct growth.

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Predictive value of C-reactive protein and carotid intimal medial thickness in acute ischemic stroke

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1186/s41983-019-0115-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud Elbelkimy ◽

Naglaa ELkhayat ◽

Ahmed ElSadek ◽

Alia Mansour ◽

Mariam Aboutaleb

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Infarct Volume ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Blood Biomarker ◽

Media Thickness ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Hs Crp

Abstract Background Elevated CRP and increased CCA-IMT are both associated with the occurrence of stroke. CRP and IMT are closely associated; the higher the CRP, the greater the carotid atherosclerosis as measured by carotid IMT. Objectives To study the relationship between elevated C-reactive protein as a blood biomarker and increased intimal media thickness of carotid artery, and its relation to infarct size and its impact on prognosis. Materials and methods This study is an analytical observational study, in which 73 patients who have recently suffered first-ever acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation within 72 h were recruited. Only 64 of them were able to continue the study with follow-up during the 1 month and 3 months durations. Magnetic resonance imaging for the brain was done and the infarct volume was measured. All patients had quantitative Serum CRP level within 72 h from stroke onset and carotid duplex with assessment of carotid intimal media thickness (IMT). Results The results showed there is a significant positive correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and MRS after 1 month yet no significant correlation was found between hs-CRP and IMT. Conclusion Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) could serve as prognostic blood biomarker in long-term follow-up of stroke patients. Non-significant correlation was found in our study between increased hs-CRP and increased intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT).

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