Abstract DP354: Imaging Markers of Vascular Brain Health in Patients with Minor Stroke

Background: Several MR imaging markers of vascular brain health have been associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and recurrent stroke. Patients with minor stroke (NIHSS 0.44% of intracranial volume was scored one point for a composite score of 0-7. Final scores were stratified as mild (0-1) or moderate/severe (≥ 2). We evaluated associations between composite scores and 30- and 90-day post-stroke outcomes of cognitive impairment (MoCA <18), and poor functional outcome (mRS ≥2). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate OR for post-stroke outcomes. Results: 127 patients were included in the study (Table 1). Overall, 32% of patients had scores of mild and 68% moderate/severe. Compared to patients with a mild score, cognitive impairment was more common among those with moderate/severe scores at 30-days (57% vs. 32%, p=0.01), and 90-days (63% vs. 46%, p=0.118); and poor functional outcome (mRS ≥ 2) was more common among those with moderate/severe scores at 30-days (35% vs. 20%, p=0.09), and 90 days (21% vs. 5%, p=0.01). In logistic regression analysis, a moderate/severe score was independently associated with poor functional outcome (mRS ≥2) at 90-days (aOR = 8.17; 95% CI, 1.12 – 59.6). Conclusions: MR imaging markers of vascular brain health are common among patients with minor stroke. Patients with a higher rate of imaging markers were more likely to have cognitive impairment and poor functional outcome after minor stroke. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.