Purpose To evaluate the prognostic utility of visual Alberta stroke program early computed tomography score (ASPECTS) and perfusion parameters obtained from automated RAPID-AI software in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) beyond 6 hours from stroke onset. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 86 patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who underwent non-enhanced computed tomography (NECT), multiphase computed tomography angiography, and computed tomography perfusion within 6–24 hours before thrombectomy. Visual ASPECTS (assessed by junior doctor), RAPID-ASPECTS, and RAPID-CTP parameters (ischemic core volume, penumbra, and mismatch ratio) were recorded. The primary outcome was 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Score 0-2). Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis were used to identify independent predictors. Results Visual ASPECTS was significantly associated with a favorable outcome (area under the curve = 0.709; optimal cut-off ≥ 6), while no perfusion-derived parameters reached statistical significance. In multivariable analysis, only visual ASPECTS (OR 0.083, 95% CI: 0.033–0.133; p = 0.001), hypertension (OR 0.252, 95% CI: 0.053–0.452; p = 0.014), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR 0.634, 95% CI: 0.303–0.964; p < 0.001) remained independent predictors. Agreement between visual and RAPID-ASPECTS was moderate (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49–0.80; p < 0.001), but poor when dichotomized at the ≥ 6 threshold (Cohen's kappa κ = 0.18, p < 0.001). Conclusion Visual ASPECTS outperformed perfusion-derived metrics in predicting clinical outcomes after late-window thrombectomy. These findings support the continued relevance of NECT and expert visual scoring, particularly in settings where perfusion imaging may be limited or inconsistent.
Nguyen et al. (Tue,) studied this question.