Abstract W P48: Flair Vessel Hyper-intensities Could Predict Target Mismatch Signs in Acute Stroke Patients

Abstract

Background and purpose: Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vessel hyper-intensities (FVH) have been hypothesized to have a positive correlation with good collaterals and more favorable clinical outcomes in acute stroke patients. We assessed if FVH predict the Target mismatch profile (TMM) and clinical outcomes in the DEFUSE studies. Methods: Patients with technically adequate baseline diffusion weighted images (DWI), perfusion images (PWI), and FLAIR images were included in this pooled analysis of the DEFUSE 1 and 2 studies. The FVH sign was defined as visible hyper-intense vessels on FLAIR images and assessed at basal ganglia levels by two independent raters. Clinical outcomes were assessed using modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. The Target mismatch profile was based on baseline DWI and PWI volumes using automated software (RAPID). Results: Seventy seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Median time (IQR) from symptom onset to baseline MRI was 4.6 hours (3.9 - 5.4) and median (IQR) DWI lesion was 13.1 (5.0 - 32.0) ml. Of these, 66 patients (86%) had the FVH sign. Kappa score for inter-rater agreement was 0.621 (95CI: 0.33 - 0.91). Seventy (74%) cases with FVH had TMM profile vs. 33% of No FVH patients (p=0.023). Good clinical outcome (mRS 0-2) did not differ (50% with FVH vs. 73% without FVH, p=0.203). Only 38% of the patients with FVH had good angiographic collaterals and the rate of early reperfusion did not differ (45% with FVH vs. 25% without FVH, p=0.45). Conclusions: FVH is common in acute stroke patients (86%) and is associated with the Target Mismatch profile. However, FVH was not associated with favorable angiographic collaterals, good clinical outcome or early reperfusion in the DEFUSE 1 and 2 cohorts.