The Prognostic Impact of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging Prominent Veins in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the prognostic impact of prominent veins (PVS) after an acute ischemic stroke identified on susceptibility-weighted imaging (PVS-SWI). METHODS: We searched for studies published in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Poor functional prognosis, early neurological deterioration, and hemorrhagic transformation were evaluated. Risk ratios (RR) were pooled implementing a random effect model. We performed a subgroup analysis by treatment, location (cortical/medullary) and a sensitivity analysis by follow-up time. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included (a total of 1605 patients) in the quantitative meta-analysis. PVS-SWI were related with a poor functional outcome (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.10), especially in the patients receiving thrombolysis (RR 2.19, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.15) and an augmented risk of early neurological damage (RR 2.85, 95% CI 2.31 to 3.51). Both cortical and medullary prominent veins were accompanied by a poor functional outcome (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.30 to 2.56/RR 2.59, 95% CI 1.98 to 3.38). PVS-SWI were not associated with poor functional outcomes when patients were treated conservatively (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.22), or with an increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.47). CONCLUSION: PVS-SWI were related to a poor functional prognosis and an increased risk of early neurological damage. In patients treated conservatively, PVS-SWI were not accompanied by a poor prognosis. PVS-SWI were not associated with an augmented risk of hemorrhagic transformation.