← Back to All Calculators
ASPECTS Score — Alberta Stroke Program Early CT
10-point topographic CT scoring of early ischaemic change in MCA territory
Instructions: Check each region that appears NORMAL (no early ischaemic change). Score starts at 10; 1 point is subtracted for each area with early ischaemia.
Live ASPECTS Score
10
Normal
10/10 normal
Subcortical Structures
Cortical MCA Territory
—
ASPECTS / 10
Affected Regions: None
Recommendation: —
ASPECTS Interpretation
| Score | Interpretation | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Normal CT | Excellent reperfusion candidate |
| 8–9 | Minor ischaemic changes | Good candidate for reperfusion |
| 7 | Moderate changes | Reperfusion may still benefit |
| ≤6 | Poor prognosis | Suboptimal for thrombolysis |
| ≤5 | Extensive ischaemia | Consider carefully; poor outcome likely |
Start at 10 points; subtract 1 for each MCA region with early ischaemic change
Ischaemic change = hypodensity, loss of grey-white differentiation, or sulcal effacement
Score assessed on unenhanced CT within 6h of onset (ideally)
Ischaemic change = hypodensity, loss of grey-white differentiation, or sulcal effacement
Score assessed on unenhanced CT within 6h of onset (ideally)
Thrombectomy Context: DAWN/DEFUSE-3 trials selected patients with core infarct <70mL (roughly ASPECTS ≥6). ASPECTS <6 on non-contrast CT often excludes patients from routine thrombectomy. Some centres use ASPECTS ≥7 as threshold for IV tPA eligibility.
For clinical decision support only. Not a substitute for professional medical judgment.
