Hemorrhagic transformation and Regional Cerebral Small Vessel Disease score in acute ischemic stroke patients

Hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke is a severe complication that causes increased morbidity and mortality. Regional Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (rCSVD) score can help identify stroke patients with a high risk of recurrence by assessing the severity of small vessel pathology. This study aims to explore the relationship between hemorrhagic transformation and the rCSVD score in acute ischemic stroke.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Siloam Hospitals Lippo Village, Tangerang, Indonesia. This study involved 100 acute ischemic stroke patients (50 patients with hemorrhagic transformation and 50 patients without hemorrhagic transformation). Data collected included demographics, laboratory, clinical parameters, radiologic information, and non-contrast brain MRI. Statistical analysis was performed using the T-test, Mann-Whitney, Kruskall Wallis, Chi-Square, and Logistic Regression.

The independent t-test revealed significant differences in time from stroke onset to MRI, duration from initial MRI to follow-up MRI/CT, infarct volume and location, antiplatelet use, CMBs, age, rCSVD score, NIHSS, and INR (p < 0.05) between patients with and without hemorrhagic transformation. Logistic regression indicated that CMBs (p  < 0.001) and infarct volume (p = 0.002) significantly affected hemorrhagic transformation.

CMBs and infarct volume are associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke.