Correlation of Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Outcomes After Thrombectomy

A study of cerebral blood flow patterns following mechanical thrombectomy was carried out using a prospective, observational approach. Following thrombectomy intervention for acute ischemic stroke, patients underwent quantitative magnetic resonance angiography, from which blood flows and flow velocities were obtained. Comparisons of flow ratios and velocity derivative indices amongst patients with different complications were performed. Patients from an academic, teaching hospital was incorporated (University of Illinois Hospital, Chicago, IL). We found that a lower ratio of ipsilateral hemispheric flow to contralateral flow was associated with presence of hemorrhagic infarction type 2 or more severe hemorrhage. In addition, this outcome was correlated with lower ipsilateral to contralateral middle cerebral artery velocity ratio, higher ipsilateral internal carotid artery pulsatility index, and higher contralateral internal carotid artery pulsatility index. As demonstrated with our retrospective internal analysis, presence of hemorrhage and symptomatic hemorrhage following thrombectomy is associated with clinical outcome, highlighting the clinical importance of these complications. This study offers an exploration and flow associations with hemorrhage following mechanical thrombectomy.