Long-term prognosis in stroke related to cerebral blood flow.

In 180 patients, cerebral blood flow was measured between one and six weeks after acute cerebrovascular ischemia. Patients were grouped according to their clinical deficits at the time of blood flow study. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences among the flow values of the groups. The patients were followed up for a period of up to 6 years (mean, 34 months) after the attack, and then regrouped. In these groups, the statistical significances of differences among the flow values was even higher. Patients also were grouped according to changes in neurologic status, and again the flow values differed significantly among the groups. The results show significant relationships among flow values after cerebrovascular ischemia and neurologic deficits, change in status, and the final functional state. Cerebral blood flow measurement together with other clinical signs permits an estimation of a patient's chance for functional recovery after a stroke.