Cerebral autoregulation: A reliable predictor of prognosis in patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis

Abstract Aims To investigate the characteristics of dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and assess the relationship between dCA and prognosis. Methods Patients with unilateral acute ischemic stroke receiving IVT were prospectively enrolled; those who did not were selected as controls. All patients underwent dCA measurements, by quantifying the phase difference (PD) and gain, at 1–3 and 7–10 days after stroke onset. Simultaneously, two dCA‐based nomogram models were established to verify the predictive value of dCA for patients with mild‐to‐moderate stroke. Results Finally, 202 patients who received IVT and 238 who did not were included. IVT was positively correlated with higher PD on days 1–3 and 7–10 after stroke onset. PD values in both sides at 1–3 days after stroke onset and in the affected side at 7–10 days after onset were independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients who received IVT. Additionally, in patients with mild‐to‐moderate stroke who received IVT, the dCA‐based nomogram models significantly improved the risk predictive ability for 3‐month unfavorable outcomes. Conclusion IVT has a positive effect on dCA in patients with acute stroke; furthermore, dCA may be useful to predict the prognosis of patients with IVT.