title: CT interpretation by ASPECTS in hyperacute ischemic stroke predicting functional outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTS) can predict posttreatment functional outcomes in hyperacute stroke patients who receive recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) treatment within 4.5 h.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 162 patients treated with rt-PA within 4.5 h of clinical onset. Of those, 29 patients (17.90 %) received rt-PA treatment between 3 and 4.5 h. Systematic CT scoring with the ASPECTS method was done. The primary outcome was the correlations between ASPECTS and the functional status at 3 months follow-up using the modified Rankin Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical variables between those who received rt-PA treatment before and after 3 h were mostly comparable except the proportion of male gender. There were 116 patients (71.60 %) who were classified as independent. Time to receive CT scan or rt-PA treatment was not significantly associated with patients' functional status. Baseline NIHSS and ASPECTS scores were significant factors associated with dependent status or death at 3 months after rt-PA treatment. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.133 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.047-1.226] and 0.844 (95 % CI, 0.720-0.990), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ASPECTS predicts the functional status of acute stroke patients who received rt-PA treatment within the 4.5-h golden period.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Radiological Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.
authors.forename: Warinthorn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Phuttharak
authors.forename: Kittisak
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sawanyawisuth
authors.forename: Boonrerk
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sangpetngam
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tiamkao
mesh_terms: D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator