Infarct in new territory after endovascular stroke treatment: A diffusion-weighted imaging study

Sci Rep. 2020 May 20;10(1):8366. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64495-2.

Abstract

Data on infarcts in new territory (INT) in patients undergoing endovascular stroke treatment for acute large-vessel occlusions are sparse. Aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical relevance of INT. For this purpose, all patients in a single-center prospective registry who underwent endovascular stroke treatment and received pre- and post-interventional diffusion-weighted imaging were included (N = 259). Using an established scoring system, INT were classified according to size (I-III, ≤2 mm, >2 mm ≤20 mm, >20 mm) and likelihood of being related to the intervention (A, high likelihood; B, low likelihood). Additionally, a new type of infarct, that occurred in a territory distal to the occlusion, but was initially not hypoperfused, was defined as an infarct in initially not hypoperfused territory (IINHT). A total of 180 INT and 38 IINHT were observed in 32.8% (N = 85/259) of patients. In most patients, INT were angiographically occult (90.2%), and 13 patients had INT/IINHT larger than 2 cm (type III). Absence of protection during stent-retrieval and a cardio-embolic stroke origin were associated with higher incidence of INT/IINHT, whereas pretreatment with IV tPA showed no association, even when different bolus timing was considered. INT/IINHT were associated with lower rates of functional independence with increasing size type after adjusting for confounders (adjusted Odds Ratio per size group increase 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.46-0.86). In conclusion, INT and IINHT are not rare, are associated with poor outcome with increasing size, and they may serve as a surrogate endpoint for safety evaluation of new devices and endovascular techniques. Further research on associated factors is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Infarction / diagnosis
  • Brain Infarction / epidemiology*
  • Brain Infarction / etiology
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Endovascular Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Endovascular Procedures / instrumentation
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Period
  • Preoperative Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Registries / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stents / adverse effects
  • Stroke / diagnosis
  • Stroke / surgery*
  • Thrombectomy / adverse effects*
  • Thrombectomy / instrumentation
  • Treatment Outcome