Key CT markers for predicting haemorrhagic transformation after ischaemic stroke: a prospective cohort study in China

Limited studies have systematically addressed the CT markers of predicting haemorrhagic transformation (HT). We aimed to (1) investigate the predictive ability of the imaging factors on multimodal CT for HT and (2) identify the key CT markers that can accurately predict HT while maintaining easy and rapid assessment in the early stage of stroke.

This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Southwest China.

Patients with ischaemic stroke admitted within 24 hours after onset were included.

The primary outcome was measured as the overall HT. The secondary outcomes were the presence of parenchymal haematoma, symptomatic HT and spontaneous HT.

A total of 763 patients were included. The early hypodensity >1/3 of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score≤7, midline shift, hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS), poor collateral circulation, infarct core and penumbra was independently associated with the increased risk of HT (all p < 0.05). The sensitivity of midline shift for predicting HT was only 3.5%, whereas its specificity was 99.8%. The combination of the early hypodensity >1/3 of the MCA territory, midline shift and HMCAS showed a good predictive performance for HT (area under the curve 0.80, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.84).

Seven imaging factors on multimodal CT were independently associated with HT. The high specificity of midline shift suggests the need to consider it as an imaging indicator when assessing the risk of HT. The early hypodensity >1/3 of the MCA territory, midline shift and HMCAS was identified as the key CT markers for the early prediction of HT. The coexistence of the three key factors might be a valuable index for identifying individuals at high bleeding risk and guiding further treatments.