Program

Lecture Abstract：
In patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), reperfusion injury may contribute to poor outcome after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). This study aimed to identify the cytokines associated with poor functional outcome and reperfusion injury. Plasma samples were collected immediately before EVT (T1), immediately after EVT (T2), and at 24 h (T3) for patients and once for controls. Among the 28 cytokines, 12 cytokines were selected as potentially associated with stroke or reperfusion injury in the discovery cohort (Cohort 1; 10 patients and 10 controls). These 12 cytokines were subsequently measured in a larger evaluation cohort (Cohort 2; 150 patients and 50 controls). Poor functional outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score 3–6 at 90 days. Reperfusion injury included parenchymal hematoma or substantial brain edema on follow-up image 24-48 h after EVT. Poor functional outcome and reperfusion injury occurred in 57.5% and 33.3% of patients, respectively. Among these cytokines, higher IL-6 levels were significantly associated with poor functional outcome (T1: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.47; 95% CI, 1.38–14.46; P = 0.012; T2: aOR, 5.15; 95% CI, 1.62–16.41; P = 0.006), reperfusion injury (T3: aOR, 8.86; 95% CI, 2.40–32.67; P = 0.001), parenchymal hematoma (T3: aOR, 4.73; 95% CI, 1.26–17.75; P = 0.021), and brain edema (T3: aOR, 9.70; 95% CI, 2.52–37.40; P = 0.001). Additionally, higher IL-4 levels at T1 were associated with lower odds of reperfusion injury (aOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.09–0.92; P = 0.036) and brain edema (aOR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08–0.86; P = 0.028). Higher IL-10 levels at T3 were associated with higher odds of parenchymal hematoma (aOR, 3.96; 95% CI, 1.37–11.48; P = 0.011). These findings suggest that peri-EVT cytokine profiles, particularly IL-6, may provide insights into inflammatory responses associated with reperfusion injury and clinical outcomes.