Importance of early ischemic computed tomography changes using ASPECTS in NINDS rtPA stroke study

The importance of early ischemic change (EIC) on baseline computed tomography (CT) in the decision to thrombolyze the patient with acute ischemic stroke has been controversial. ASPECTS is a semiquantitative scale that scores the extent of EIC within the middle cerebral artery territory. We examined whether ASPECTS could be a treatment modifier by systematically reviewing the CT scans in the NINDS rtPA Stroke Study. Six hundred eight of the 624 CT scans were available and of sufficient quality. One of 2 teams (n=3 each) of expert ASPECTS readers evaluated each scan for an ASPECTS value using a consensus score approach. Each team was blind to all clinical information except symptom side and blind to follow-up imaging and outcome information. ASPECTS values were stratified before analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine if an ASPECTS by treatment interaction existed on treatment response, outcome, and intracerebral hemorrhage risk. A total of 57.2% (348 of 608) of scans showed EIC with an ASPECTS