Perfusion computed tomography and clinical status of patients with acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is increasing availability of perfusion computed tomography (PCT) for assessment of acute ischaemic stroke patients. A semiquantitative evaluation of CT scans can be easily and quickly performed by the examining physician. In the current study, we investigated the correlation between the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) quantifying acute ischaemic changes on CT scans and clinical status of ischaemic stroke patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We analyzed the data of 34 patients with hemispheric ischaemic stroke, in whom both non-contrast CT (NCCT) and PCT were performed within 12 hours after stroke onset. NCCT and PCT [colour-coded maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and time-to-peak (TTP)] were evaluated using ASPECTS. The correlations between ASPECTS and severity of neurological deficit, and prognostic value of ASPECTS for long-term clinical outcome were studied.

RESULTS

We found a significant correlation between the baseline clinical status and ASPECTS for all CT techniques as well as between CBV and neurological deficit at discharge. ASPECTS ł7 in all CT techniques had a high sensitivity and positive predictive value for prognosis of 3-month functional independency.

CONCLUSIONS

ASPECTS used for PCT and NCCT shows a good correlation with clinical status and prognosis of ischaemic stroke patients.