The diagnostic value of 3D-ASL in vertebral artery stenosis among individuals at risk of stroke

Background: This study explored the predictive value of 3D-ASL for vertebral artery stenosis (VAS) in individuals at risk of stroke. Methods: A total of 43 participants at risk of stroke were enrolled in our study. All participants underwent 3D-ASL and carotid artery computed tomography angiography (CTA) or cervical vascular ultrasound. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in the left and right frontal lobes, temporal lobes, parietal lobes, occipital lobes, basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and hippocampus. Calculate the CBF BI (CBF BI means: The absolute value of the difference in cerebral blood flow in the corresponding brain regions on the left and right sides of the enrolled personnel) of the corresponding brain regions of the left and right between the VAS group and the non-VAS group respectively. To evaluate the predictive value of 3D-ASL for vascular stenosis in participants at risk of stroke, we used two-sample t-tests to determine if there were significant differences in BI. Results: Among 43 participants at risk of stroke we recruited, 20 participants with vertebral artery stenosis (the VAS group) and 23 without vertebral artery stenosis (the non-VAS group). There were significant differences in BI of the occipital lobe between the VAS group and the non-VAS group (p < 0.05). According to the occipital lobe BI value, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) demonstrated best diagnostic limits of 10.46 ml/(100g×min). Conclusion: Using 3D-ASL to detect cerebral blood flow and calculate the difference of bilateral occipital cerebral blood flow which can help to diagnose vertebral artery stenosis in high risk population of stroke.