Influencing factors of Susceptibility Vessel Sign on Susceptibility-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The presence of acute susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) in anterior circulation occlusive stroke reflects the presence of deoxyhemoglobin in the thrombus and the thrombus composition may change with time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the related factors affecting SVS. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 161 patients with acute stroke who underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination from July 16, 2020, to June 24, 2022. These patients all contained readable susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) information. The characteristics of the patients were compared according to the presence or absence of SVS. Univariate statistical analysis was performed, and then meaningful variables from the univariate statistical analysis were included in the multivariate statistical analysis. Results: Of the 161 patients included in the study, 109 (67.7%) were in the SVS+ group. SVS+ was significantly correlated with age (P=0.031), cardiogenic stroke subtype (P=0.028), and the combination of atrial fibrillation/flutter (P =0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that combined atrial fibrillation/flutter was an independent risk factor for SVS+ (OR, 4.517; 95% CI, 1.324–15.413; P =0.016). There was no significant relationship between SVS+ and symptom onset -- imaging time. Conclusion: In the acute phase of proximal middle cerebral artery occlusive stroke, atrial fibrillation/flutter was an independent risk factor for SVS positivity. For patients with known symptom onset time, SVS was not significantly associated with symptom onset -- imaging time.