Time-Dependent Computed Tomographic Perfusion Thresholds for Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Background and Purpose—: Among patients with acute ischemic stroke, we determine computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) thresholds associated with follow-up infarction at different stroke onset-to-CTP and CTP-to-reperfusion times. Methods—: Acute ischemic stroke patients with occlusion on computed tomographic angiography were acutely imaged with CTP. Noncontrast computed tomography and magnectic resonance diffusion–weighted imaging between 24 and 48 hours were used to delineate follow-up infarction. Reperfusion was assessed on conventional angiogram or 4-hour repeat computed tomographic angiography. T _max , cerebral blood flow, and cerebral blood volume derived from delay-insensitive CTP postprocessing were analyzed using receiver–operator characteristic curves to derive optimal thresholds for combined patient data (pooled analysis) and individual patients (patient-level analysis) based on time from stroke onset-to-CTP and CTP-to-reperfusion. One-way ANOVA and locally weighted scatterplot smoothing regression was used to test whether the derived optimal CTP thresholds were different by time. Results—: One hundred and thirty-two patients were included. T _max thresholds of >16.2 and >15.8 s and absolute cerebral blood flow thresholds of −1 ·100 g ⁻¹ were associated with infarct if reperfused P T _max ( P <0.001; r=−0.68 and −0.60 for gray and white matter, respectively) parameters. Conclusions—: Optimal CTP thresholds associated with follow-up infarction depend on time from imaging to reperfusion.