Related Factors And Prognostic Value Of Asymmetrical Cortical Vein Sign In Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective:To explore the related factors of asymmetrical cortical vein sign(ACVS)on susceptibility-weighted imaging(SWI)and whether its presence can be used as an independent predictor for clinical outcome.Methods:We enrolled patients with acute middle cerebral artery(MCA)stroke,who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),SWI,and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA)within 7 days from symptom onset.According to the findings of magnetic resonance imaging,the patients were divided into ACVS+ group and ACVS-group.The differences in magnetic resonance imaging findings and the clinical data between ACVS+ group and ACVS-group were investigated respectively.Results:In 125 patients enrolled in our study,there were 95 patients(76.0%)with symmetrical cortical vein on SWI and 30 patients(24.0%)with asymmetrical cortical vein sign.Compared with ACVS-group,middle cerebral artery severe stenosis or occlusion were more common(76.7% vs 45.3%,P=0.003)in patients with ACVS+ group,in addition,the patients in ACVS+ group had lower DWI-ASPECTS(7.0±2.1 vs 7.9±1.5,P=0.018)and higher NIHSS score on admission(5.8±4.2 vs 4.1±3.4,P=0.042),but no significant differences in outcome at 3 months after stroke(63.3% vs 44.2%,P=0.093).Conclusion:The presence of asymmetrical cortical vein sign is related to the status of MCA steno-occlusion,infarct size and the severity of neurological function at admission,but can not predict the prognosis of 3 months after stroke.