In vivo monitoring of hemodynamic changes in ischemic stroke using photoacoustic tomography

Abstract Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked, leading to decreased blood flow. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. However, existing clinical imaging methods have limitations, such as safety issues and low time resolution. To address these challenges, we propose using photoacoustic tomography (PAT) with a contrast agent, known for its high resolution and contrast capabilities. Our study involved imaging brain vasculature in three groups: normal, unilateral common carotid artery ligation (UCAL), and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). On the ischemic stroke side, we observed reduced blood vessel density and hemodynamic changes were evident after injecting indocyanine green for PAT. The photoacoustic intensity was notably lower in the ligated sides of the UCAL and MCAO groups, with statistically significant differences between the three groups. This work highlights PAT's potential as a powerful tool for early diagnosis and guidance in ischemic stroke cases.