The modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) score is a grading system used to assess the level of blood flow restoration (reperfusion) in the brain after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or other endovascular treatments for acute ischemic stroke. It measures the success of recanalization, specifically how well blood flow is restored to the brain areas affected by the stroke.
Here’s a breakdown of the mTICI score:
0: No perfusion – No blood flow beyond the point of occlusion.
1: Minimal perfusion – Minimal blood flow with very limited reperfusion in the territory of the occluded artery.
2A: Partial perfusion (<50%) – Partial filling of less than half of the affected vascular territory (less than 50%).
2B: Partial perfusion (≥50%) – Partial filling of more than half of the affected territory (≥50%).
2C: Near-complete perfusion – Near-complete reperfusion except for slow flow or small distal branches that are occluded.
3: Complete perfusion – Full reperfusion with no residual occlusion or significant delay in flow.
In clinical studies, the mTICI score is crucial for determining the success of thrombectomy procedures. A score of 2B or higher is generally considered successful reperfusion.