Impact of baseline tissue status (diffusion-weighted imaging lesion) versus perfusion status (severity of hypoperfusion) on hemorrhagic transformation

• Published in: Stroke (1970) 2010-03, Vol.41 (3), p.e135-e142
• Main Authors: Kim, Jong Hun, Bang, Oh Young, Liebeskind, David S, Ovbiagele, Bruce, Kim, Gyeong-Moon, Chung, Chin Sang, Lee, Kwang Ho, Saver, Jeffrey L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cerebral Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Cerebral Hemorrhage - physiopathology; Cerebrovascular Circulation - physiology; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Female; Humans; Image Enhancement - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Perfusion Imaging - methods; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.563122

The frequency of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) on gradient echo imaging and its impact on stroke outcomes continues to be debated. We investigated the factors associated with HTs and the influence of the HTs observed on gradient echo imaging on the early course after a stroke. We analyzed the data from a prospectively maintained registry of patients who were eligible for recanalization therapy. Serial diffusion-weighted imaging and perfusion-weighted imaging were performed, and HTs were assessed on follow-up gradient echo imaging. Tmax perfusion lesion maps were generated and hypoperfused regions were divided into severe (Tmax >or=8 seconds) delay and mild (Tmax >or=2 seconds but Tmax 8 seconds, 12.91; 95% CI, 3.69 to 45.17) as independent predictors of HTs. Neither risk factor profiles nor diffusion-weighted imaging lesion volumes were associated with HTs. There was a poor correlation between the radiological (HT types) and clinical (asymptomatic or symptomatic) categories of HTs. Even a parenchymal hematoma was not always associated with symptomatic worsening or affected the early clinical outcomes. The results of this study indicate that the perfusion status (severe perfusion delay) rather than the tissue status (diffusion-weighted imaging lesions) and aggressive treatment were independently associated with HTs. HT on gradient echo imaging was common but usually associated with severe hypoperfusion and not always associated with clinical deterioration.