Abstract:
Objective To explore the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) combined with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) examination in the evaluation of short-term prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction.
Methods This study was a retrospective case-control study. The clinical and imaging data of 120 patients (66 males and 54 females with an average age of (58.2±4.8) years) with acute cerebral infarction admitted to Yulin Xingyuan Hospital from March 2022 to November 2024 were selected. The short-term prognosis of all patients was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) 7 days after thrombolytic therapy. In accordance with the NIHSS score, all patients were divided into the poor prognosis group (NIHSS score>15) and the good prognosis group (NIHSS score≤15). The DWI parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC)) and MRA parameters (vascular stenosis rate and collateral circulation score) at the infarction site were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the correlation and predictive value of these parameters. Independent sample t-test was used for comparison of measurement data between groups.
Results Statistically significant differences were found in ADC ((0.36±0.06)×10−3 mm2/s vs. (0.45±0.12)×10−3 mm2/s), rADC ( (62.37±10.38)% vs. (69.75±10.47)% ), collateral circulation score ((2.80±0.75) score vs. (3.54±0.53) score), and vascular stenosis rate ( (65.82±5.63)% vs. (59.49±5.40)% ) between the poor prognosis group (n=46) and the good prognosis group (n=74; t=3.766–6.325, all P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis results showed that ADC, rADC, and collateral circulation score were negatively correlated with NIHSS score (r=−0.769, −0.698, −0.744; all P<0.05), and vascular stenosis rate was positively correlated with NIHSS score (r=0.673, P=0.003). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that ADC (OR=0.569, 95%CI: 0.399–0.811), rADC (OR=0.593, 95%CI: 0.412–0.853), and collateral circulation score (OR=0.565, 95%CI: 0.395–0.809) were independent protective factors for short-term prognosis of patients with acute cerebral infarction (all P<0.05). Vascular stenosis rate (OR=1.542, 95%CI: 1.116–2.131, P<0.05) was an independent risk factor for short-term prognosis of patients with acute cerebral infarction. ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve of DWI combined with MRA examination in evaluating the short-term prognosis of patients with acute cerebral infarction was 0.934 (95%CI: 0.888–0.980), with a specificity of 94.59% and a sensitivity of 80.43%.
Conclusion DWI combined with MRA examination has high predictive value for the short-term prognosis of patients with acute cerebral infarction, it can provide an objective basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.