The Value Of Susceptibility Vessel Sign In Assessing Clinical Outcomes Of Acute Cerebral Infarction

Objective:The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between susceptibility vessel sign(SVS)and clinical outcomes in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)untreated with reperfusion therapy.Methods:We included prospectively patients with ACI treated without reperfusion therapy,who underwent magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)including susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI)within 3 to 5 days of symptom onset.Patients were assigned to two groups based on the presence of an SVS.We analyzed the accuracy of SVS in the detection of arterial occlusion compared with 3D-TOF-MRA.Stroke severities were evaluated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)admission.The NIHSS scores at two weeks after stroke and Modified Rankin Scale(m RS)scores at three months follow-up were acquired to evaluate clinical outcomes,while a poor outcome was defined as having an m RS >2.Results:The SVS was identified in 23(54.8%)of 42 patients.There was consistency between SVS on SWI and arterial thrombosis on 3D-TOF-MRA(Kappa value=0.704);In the comparison of the two groups,patients with SVS(+)had higher NIHSS scores on admission(t=-3.851,P<0.05)and larger infarction areas(z=-2.835,P<0.05),while the higher proportion of hypertension in patients with negative SVS(?2=4.805,P<0.05).Of the 23 SVS(+)patients,11(47.8%)had nearly no improvement in the NIHSS scores,with unfavorable early clinical improvement(z=-2.686,P<0.05).And at three months after stroke patients with SVS(+)also had poor clinical outcomes(?2=9.450,P<0.05).Conclusions:The SVS was found to be a highly specific sign in the detection of arterial occlusion,consistent with 3D-TOF-MRA;And the presence of SVS may indicate more severe clinical symptoms and poor clinical outcome in patients with acute stroke who had not received reperfusion therapy.