Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging maps in hyperacute stroke: Relative cerebral blood flow most accurately identifies tissue destined to infarct

Abstract

Background and Purpose - In ischemic stroke, perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) provide important pathophysiological information. A PWI>DWI mismatch pattern suggests the presence of salvageable tissue. However, improved methods for distinguishing PWI>DWI mismatch tissue that is critically hypoperfused from benign oligemia are required. Methods - We investigated the usefulness of maps of relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), volume (rCBV), and mean transit time (rMTT) to predict transition to infarction in hyperacute (DWI mismatch patterns. Semiquantitative color-thresholded analysis was used to measure hypoperfusion volumes, including increasing color signal..