Arterial spin labeling versus bolus-tracking perfusion in hyperacute stroke

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that does not require contrast administration and thus may be more practical in hyperacute stroke than susceptibility- weighted bolus-tracking perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI). However, a threshold for ASL measurement of the ischemic penumbra needs to be determined. Methods-A total of 58 patients with acute hemispheric ischemic stroke were imaged within 6 hours of symptom onset with MRI including ASL, diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), and PWI, after perfusion computed tomography (CTP). Patients had repeat MRI at 24 hours. On repeat imaging, 32 patients did not reperfuse and were used to ..