Cerebrovascular reactivity is a predictor of small vessel disease severity after one year in patients with mild stroke

Small vessel disease (SVD) causes stroke and dementia, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. We measured cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in SVD patients with minor stroke using 3T BOLD MRI and investigated its relation to baseline and progression of SVD features after one year adjusting for age and vascular risk factors. Patients with lower CVR had higher baseline white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, more lacunes and microbleeds and lower brain volume. After one year, patients with lower baseline CVR had increased WMH burden. In conclusion, CVR impairment in SVD patients is associated with higher SVD burden and predicts worsening of SVD.