Effect of Hemodynamics on Stroke Risk in Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Vertebrobasilar Occlusive Disease

Abstract

Importance: Atherosclerotic vertebrobasilar (VB) occlusive disease is a significant etiology of posterior circulation stroke, with regional hypoperfusion as an important potential contributor to stroke risk.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that, among patients with symptomatic VB stenosis or occlusion, those with distal blood flow compromise as measured by large-vessel quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA) are at higher risk of subsequent posterior circulation stroke.

Design, setting, and participants: A prospective, blinded, longitudinal cohort study was conducted at 5 academic hospital-based centers in the United States and Canada; 82 patients from inpatient and outpatient settings were enrolled. Participants with recent VB transient ischemic attack or stroke and 50% or more atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion in vertebral and/or basilar arteries underwent large-vessel flow measurement in the VB territory using QMRA. Physicians performing follow-up assessments were blinded to QMRA flow status. Follow-up included monthly telephone calls for 12 months and biannual clinical visits (for a minimum of 12 months, and up to 24 months or the final visit). Enrollment took place from July 1, 2008, to July 31, 2013, with study completion on June 30, 2014; data analysis was performed from October 1, 2014, to April 10, 2015.

Exposure: Standard medical management of stroke risk factors.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was VB-territory stroke.

Results: Of the 82 enrolled patients, 72 remained eligible after central review of their angiograms. Sixty-nine of 72 patients completed the minimum 12-month follow-up; median follow-up was 23 (interquartile range, 14-25) months. Distal flow status was low in 18 of the 72 participants (25%) included in the analysis and was significantly associated with risk for a subsequent VB stroke (P = .04), with 12- and 24-month event-free survival rates of 78% and 70%, respectively, in the low-flow group vs 96% and 87%, respectively, in the normal-flow group. The hazard ratio, adjusted for age and stroke risk factors, in the low distal flow status group was 11.55 (95% CI, 1.88-71.00; P = .008). Medical risk factor management at 6-month intervals was similar between patients with low and normal distal flow. Distal flow status remained significantly associated with risk even when controlling for the degree of stenosis and location.

Conclusions and relevance: Distal flow status determined using a noninvasive and practical imaging tool is robustly associated with risk for subsequent stroke in patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic VB occlusive disease. Identification of high-risk patients has important implications for future investigation of more aggressive interventional or medical therapies.

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: Dr Amin-Hanjani reported receiving material research support (no direct funds) from GE Healthcare and VasSol Inc for the VERiTAS study. Dr Liebeskind reported serving as a consultant for Covidien and Stryker. Dr Derdeyn reported serving as a consultant for Microvention, Penumbra, and Silk Road and as a member of the scientific advisory board for Pulse Therapeutics. Dr Gorelick reported serving as the founder and director/codirector of the Clinical Coordinating Center for the Lundbeck-sponsored Desmoteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke trial. Dr Charbel reported having a financial interest in VasSol Inc. No other conflicts were reported.

Figures

Figure 1. Flow Diagram of Study Participants

VB indicates vertebrobasilar.

Figure 2. Cumulative Hazard Curve for the Primary End Point of Vertebrobasilar Territory Stroke

The number of participants at risk for each 6-month interval is indicated below the graph.