Evaluation of collateral circulation based on a single time-variant color map of multi-phase CTA and its association with CTP parameters

This study aimed to assess the collateral circulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) using a single time-variant color map (ColorViz) and evaluate its reliability. The relationship between collateral status and computed tomography perfusion (CTP) parameters was also explored. The retrospective study included 74 patients with acute ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the reliability of the novel evaluation method using ColorViz images compared with that using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) images, and to evaluate the correlation between the collateral status and CTP parameters. The Spearman correlation between collateral scores derived from ColorViz images and DSA images showed considerable reliability (ρ = 0.716, P < 0.001). The infarct core volume and mismatch ratio were significantly different (P < 0.05) in different collateral status based on ColorViz images. Evaluating the collateral status based on ColorViz images is reliable and provides a new and rapid visual method for clinicians. The infarct core volume and the mismatch ratio can indirectly reflect the degree of collateral circulation in AIS patients and provide help for clinicians to choose appropriate treatment options.