Tracking the changes in longitudinal MRI-detected perivascular spaces following ischaemic stroke

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Magnetic resonance imaging-visible perivascular spaces (PVS) are an emerging marker of cerebral small vessel disease and may have prognostic value in stroke. We aimed to characterise longitudinal changes in PVS volume and cluster count following ischaemic stroke. Patients and methods: Perivascular space volumes and cluster counts were compared between stroke survivors (n = 124; 39 women; median [Q1, Q3] age = 70 [62, 76] years) and healthy controls (n = 39; 15 women; median age = 69 [66, 72.5] years). Magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired at 3 months, 12 months and 36 months post-stroke. Perivascular space..