Abstract 118: Quantitative Cerebral Blood Flow Measured With Arterial Spin Labeling MRI in the Unaffected Hemisphere Predicts Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI can non-invasively measure quantitative CBF. Evaluation of hemodynamics in the ipsilateral hemisphere is a common practice for selecting patients for therapy. In this study, we hypothesized that the contralateral CBF (cCBF) may identify patients with high collateral capacity and better outcome. Hypothesis: In acute stroke, higher CBF in the unaffected hemisphere is associated with better neurological outcome. Methods: Patients were part of the prospective ‘iCAS’ (imaging the Collaterals in Acute Stroke) study. Inclusion criteria were: ischemic hemispheric stroke ( =18, informed consent, and technically adequate imaging including GRE, DWI, and 3D pseudocontinuous ASL. Outcomes were assessed by NIHSS at baseline, day 1, and day 5; and mRS at day 30 and day 90. After image registration to an MNI template, mean cCBF was calculated at standard ASPECTS levels in the contralateral hemisphere. Patients were dichotomized by me...