title: Decrease of Hyperintense Vessels on Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Predicts Good Outcome in t-PA Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hyperintense vessels (HV) detected on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) indicate cerebral hypoperfusion. However, the clinical meaning of changes in HV is yet to be clarified. Here, we investigated serial changes to HV in patients with AIS who received tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied t-PA patients presenting with HV on FLAIR in the middle cerebral artery territory. Patients underwent brain MRI 1 h before and after t-PA infusion. HV scores (range 1-7) were evaluated according to Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score territories, and then by subtracting HV scores at 1 h after t-PA infusion from those on admission, with a result of >1 defined as decrease in HV score (DHV). Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of DHV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify variables independently associated with good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days after stroke onset of 0-1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 118 consecutive patients were enrolled (73 men; mean age 76 ± 9.7; median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) 13; median initial HV score 5), of whom 52 (44%) had DHV. Patients with DHV showed a significantly lower NIHSS time course (p < 0.001) and significantly smaller infarct volume time course (p < 0.001) compared to those without DHV. Multivariate analysis showed that DHV was independently associated with good outcome (OR 3.89; 95% CI 1.55-9.77; p < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of DHV for good outcome were 70 and 68%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A DHV on FLAIR predicts good outcome in patients receiving t-PA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stroke Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakuta
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saji
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Kensaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibazaki
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iguchi
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator