DWI-ASPECTS as a predictor of dramatic recovery after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration in patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In patients with middle cerebral artery trunk occlusion we investigated whether the diffusion-weighted imaging- the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (DWI-ASPECTS) predicts short-term neurological recovery after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration, and investigated how DWI-ASPECTS relates to clinical outcome. METHODS Dramatic recovery was defined as a ≥ 10-point reduction or a total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 0 to 1 at 24 hours and 7 days. Early recanalization was defined as recanalization within 1 hours after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. Favorable outcome at 3 months was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2. RESULTS Sixty-six patients (median age [interquartile], 79 [70-85] years, male; 34 [52%]) were enrolled. DWI-ASPECTS was 6 (5-9). Dramatic recovery was seen in 16 (24%) and 26 (39%) patients at 24 hours and on day 7, respectively. Early recanalization occurred in 22 (33%) patients. DWI-ASPECTS ≥ 7 was an independent predictor of dramatic recovery at 24 hours (odds ratio, 100.85; 95% confidence interval, 4.29-2371.40; P=0.004) and 7 days (odds ratio, 14.15; 95% confidence interval, 2.21-90.48; P=0.005). Although the favorable outcome rate was not significantly different between patients with DWI-ASPECTS ≥ 7 with and without early recanalization (60% versus 31%; P=0.228), it was statistically more frequent in patients with DWI-ASPECTS <7 with early recanalization than those without early recanalization (38% versus 0%; P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS DWI-ASPECTS predicted short-term recovery in patients with middle cerebral artery trunk occlusion receiving intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. In patients with lower DWI-ASPECTS, there may still be benefit from early recanalization.