Computed Tomography Perfusion in Acute Stroke Assessment
Anthony Pereira1, Vafa Alakbarzade1, Deborah Lowe2
1Department of Neurology, Saint George's University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Background:
Traditionally, non-contrast computed tomography (CT) alone was used in the initial assessment of acute ischaemic stroke patients mainly to exclude haemorrhage or alternative pathology.
Summary:
Late-window (beyond 6 h) and recent large-volume endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (MT) trials integrated CT perfusion (CTP) imaging to guide MT and/or intravenous thrombolysis decision-making in stroke patients.
Key Messages:
In current clinical practice, many patients are being excluded from reperfusion therapy due to a lack of data from urgent investigations to assess cerebral vasculature and perfusion. Here, we explore the potential benefits of CTP incorporated into the initial CT protocol assessment of stroke patients.
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