MR Fingerprinting perfusion imaging in acute ischemic stroke: predictive utility for neurological outcomes

Motivation: IV-tPA and mechanical thrombectomy are commonly used therapies in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, their therapy efficacy varies considerably across patients. Goal(s): To assess the utility of MR Fingerprinting (MRF)-ASL in predicting neurological outcomes following reperfusion therapy in AIS patients. Approach: Fourteen patients were scanned on 3T MRI. MRF-ASL-derived parameters included cerebral blood flow (CBF1-compartment, CBF2-compartment), arterial cerebral volume (aCBV) and bolus arrival time (BAT). Improvements in NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) from admission to discharge were the outcome. Results: Shorter BAT, elevated aCBV in the stroke tissue and higher CBF in collateral voxels can predict greater improvements in NIHSS. Impact: Our results suggested that non-contrast MRF-ASL perfusion imaging offers a comprehensive insight into perfusion dynamics and may be predictive of neurological outcomes after reperfusion therapy in AIS.