Cerebrovascular Reserve may be a More Accurate Predictor of Stroke than Degree of ICA

Source of support: Departmental sources Background: It is currently unclear whether the degree of stenosis or the cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) is a better predictor of ischemic stroke. Material/Methods: In this study, CVR was measured by perfusion computed tomography with inhalation of 5 % CO2 in 37 symp-tomatic patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis or occlusion. Patients were divided into groups according to the degree of stenosis: 70 % stenosis (stenosis group 1) or <70 % ste-nosis (stenosis group 2); and according to CVR: 10 % CVR (CVR group 1) or <10 % CVR (CVR group 2). All pa-tients were given medical treatment. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 56.9 months (range 24–73 months), recurrent ipsilateral ischemic stroke oc