Abstract TP186: The Presence of Low Signal on T2*-Weighted Gradient Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Before MT Should Be Not Associated With Hemorrhagic Complications

Abstract

Background: In patients with acute ischemic stroke with the large vessel occlusion (LVO), the presence of low signal including microbleeds on T2*-weighted gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (T2*-positive) which suggestive of an old cerebral hemorrhage before mechanical thrombectomy (MT) may be associated with hemorrhagic change after MT, but the significance of this finding is unclear. Methods: Patients with acute stroke with LVO underwent T2* before MT. Patients were classified into two groups as T2*-positive and T2*-negative. We compared hemorrhagic change after MT, outcome at discharge and clinical characteristics between two groups. The occurrence of hemorrhagic change was assessed on CT after MT. Patients outcomes were classified into two group; good outcome as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 and poor outcome as mRS 5-6, respectively. Clinical characteristics and imaging factors associated with any ICH after MT were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. Results: 348 patients (median age, 78 years; men, 60.1%; median NIHSS score, 16) were enrolled. The site of occlusion was the ICA (n=92, 26.4%), M1 (n=168, 48.3%), M2 (n=49, 14.1%) and BA(n=29, 8.3%). T2*-positive and T2*-negative were found in 73 (21.0%) and 275 (79.0%), respectively. There were no differences in age, history of hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and stroke, TOAST type, DWI-ASPECTS, NIHSS, use of tPA, or TICI≧2B rate between the two groups. Any ICH after MT was 28 (38.4%) in T2*-positive and 96 (34.9%) in T2*-negative (P=0.585). PH and SAH were 7 (9.6%) and 2 (2.7%) in T2*-positive and 40 (14.9%) and 25 (9.1%) in T2*-negative (P=0.337, and P=0.085), respectively. Poor outcome was 27 (37.0%) in T2*-positive and 65 (23.6%) in T2*-negative (P=0.025), respectively. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that T2*-positive was not associated with any ICH (odds ratio, 0.884; confidence interval, 0.473-1.654; P=0.700). Conclusions: In patients with acute ischemic stroke with LVO, low signal on T2* before MT should not be associated with hemorrhagic change after MT.