Evaluation of Cerebrovascular Reactivity Damage Using Resting-State BOLD in Symptomatic Patients with Unilateral MCA/ICA Occlusion

Motivation: Cerebral vascular reserve (CVR) is an independent risk factor for patients with intracranial artery occlusion. CVR measurement using resting-state blood oxygenation level-dependent (RS BOLD) MRI shows clinical potential without gas-related tasks. Still, its feasibility has not been comprehensively evaluated. Goal(s): Achieve clinically feasible CVR marker for risk stratification in patients with intracranial artery occlusion. Approach: We adopted 45 patients with unilateral intracranial artery occlusion and 20 controls; 16 patients were followed up after surgery. Mean CVR and CVR-AI were calculated using RS BOLD in the perfusion territories of bilateral MCA. Results: CVR-AI showed better diagnostic performance and potential value in predicting surgical outcomes. Impact: This study proposes a new hemodynamic marker (CVR-AI) for risk stratification in patients with unilateral intracranial arterial occlusion and promotes the feasibility of measuring CVR using RS BOLD.