Subarachnoid Contrast Accumulation and Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score Applied to Contrast Accumulation After Thrombectomy as Predictors of Symptomatic Hemorrhage

Areas of contrast accumulation (CA) are commonly found on routine computed tomography (CT) performed immediately after thrombectomy. In the present study, we investigated the types of CA associated with the different outcomes, including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).

The present study analyzed the data from 145 patients with anterior circulation stroke who had undergone non-contrast-enhanced conventional CT immediately after thrombectomy. The following variables were investigated: collateral status, failure of recanalization, Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) applied to CA lesions and diffusion-weighted imaging infarct lesions, and sICH.

Of the 145 patients, 102 (70.3%) had CA lesions. All types of CA (any CA, cortical CA, subarachnoid CA, and CA ASPECTS) were significantly associated with poor outcomes (modified Rankin scale score >2). In particular, subarachnoid CA (odds ratio, 23.994; 95% confidence interval, 4.696-122.589) and CA ASPECTS (odds ratio, 0.550; 95% confidence interval, 0.404-0.750) were independently associated with sICH. Patients with subarachnoid CA had poorer collateral status and a larger final infarct size than those without subarachnoid CA, although the initial National Institutes of Health stroke scale score and recanalization rate were comparable between the 2 groups. A CA ASPECTS of ≤5 predicted sICH with a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 92.6% (area under the curve, 0.854).

Our data suggest that a subarachnoid CA location and CA ASPECTS are predictors of sICH. In particular, a subarachnoid location of CA might signify damage of the subarachnoid collateral arteries, leading to a larger infarct.