Imagine having a crystal ball that can predict the likelihood of another stroke. That’s exactly what scientists have devised with the Total SVD score, a comprehensive scoring system that measures the burden of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) in patients with ischemic stroke. In this prospective cohort study, researchers analyzed neuroimaging markers of SVD, including lacunae, cerebral microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and perivascular spaces, to calculate the Total SVD score. The study found that a higher Total SVD score was associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence. Additionally, the presence of cerebral microbleeds and moderate-to-severe white matter hyperintensities further exacerbated this risk. These findings suggest that the cumulative burden of SVD biomarkers can serve as a reliable predictor of future strokes. By identifying and monitoring these neuroimaging markers, healthcare providers can better assess the prognosis and implement preventive measures to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes in patients with ischemic stroke.

IntroductionCerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is one of the leading causes of stroke; each neuroimaging marker of SVD is correlated with vascular risk factors and associated with poor prognosis after stroke. However, longitudinal studies investigating the association between comprehensive SVD burden scoring system, “total SVD score” – which encompasses the established neuroimaging markers of lacunae, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), white matter hyperintensities (WMH) including periventricular hyperintensities, and perivascular spaces in basal ganglia– and clinical outcomes are limited. The aim of this study is to determine the association between SVD burden and long-term prognosis in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods and designThis prospective, single-center, observational study enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke, including cerebral infarction and transient ischemic attack. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed, and then total SVD score (range, 0–4) was calculated. We recorded baseline characteristics and evaluated the relationships of long-term outcomes to SVD neuroimaging markers and total SVD score. Stroke recurrence was thought as primary outcome. Hazard ratios (HRs) of events during follow-up were calculated using Cox proportional hazards modeling with adjustments for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and smoking. Cumulative event rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsConsecutive 564 acute ischemic stroke patients were enrolled according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 467 participants with first-ever ischemic stroke were analyzed (median age 75.0 [interquartile range, 64.0–83.0] years, 59.3% male). Total SVD score was 0 point in 47 individuals (12.0%), 1 point in 83 (21.2%), 2 points in 103 (26.3%), 3 points in 85 (21.7%), and 4 points in 73 (18.7%). Twenty-eight recurrent stroke events were identified during follow-up. Total SVD score ≥ 2, presence of CMBs, and moderate-to-severe WMH were associated with increased risk of recurrent stroke events (HR 9.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.33–64.23; HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.08–7.30; HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.22–6.88, respectively).ConclusionThe accumulation of SVD biomarkers as determined by total SVD score offered a reliable predictor of stroke recurrence. This study established a firm understanding of SVD prognosis in clinical settings.

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