Utility of digital subtraction angiography-based collateral evaluation in medically treated acute symptomatic basilar
W-J Lee1, K-H Jung1,2, Y J Ryu3
1Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Background And Purpose:
Although a stroke from atherosclerosis in the basilar artery (BA) often presents with mild initial stroke severity, it has heterogeneous clinical courses. We investigated the efficacy of digital subtraction angiography (DSA)-based collateral perfusion evaluation in association with long-term outcomes of medically treated symptomatic basilar artery stenosis.
Methods:
From a registry database of all consecutive patients with stroke, we included 98 medically treated patients (due to mild initial stroke severity) [National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ≤ 4; symptomatic basilar artery stenosis, 70-99%] with available initial diagnostic DSA. Basilar collateral scoring was performed via the DSA, using a modified version of the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology grading system in both the superior cerebellar artery and anterior/posterior-inferior cerebellar artery territories (score 0-8). The outcomes were designated as the 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS90) score (poor, 3-6). Student's t-test, chi-square test and logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with a poor outcome.
Results:
The median initial NIHSS score was 2 [interquartile range (IQR), 0-3], median posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score was 8 (IQR, 7-10), median collateral score was 7 (IQR, 7-8) and 20 (20.4%) had poor mRS90 scores. In multivariate analysis, poorer collateral scores (P = 0.003), higher NIHSS scores (P = 0.005) and lower posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (P = 0.017) were independently associated with a poor mRS90 score.
Conclusions:
The DSA-based collateral scoring of the BA large branches might predict long-term outcome in medically treated symptomatic basilar artery stenosis with mild initial severity. Evaluation of BA collateral perfusion status might be useful to determine appropriate treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:20Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies