Clinical and Imaging Predictors of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

You'll have to digest this one yourself. In my case since I had zero chance of having a stroke in the first place I don't trust anything here. No clue if I had large artery atherosclerosis. I suppose I'm supposed to trust that my doctor knows what to do here. Hard to trust since my doctor knew zilch about stroke recovery.  But I've been 12 years without another stroke.
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/490422

Kauw F.· de Jong H.W.A.M.a · Velthuis B.K.a · Kappelle L.J.b · Dankbaar J.W.a

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Keywords: Ischemic strokeRecurrent strokePredictors of outcomeImaging in strokeMeta-analysis

Cerebrovasc Dis 2018;45:279–287

https://doi.org/10.1159/000490422

Abstract

Background: Predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke are less well known in patients with a recent ischemic stroke than in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). We identified clinical and radiological factors for predicting recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with recent ischemic stroke. Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL was performed with the terms “ischemic stroke,” “predictors/determinants,” and “recurrence.” Quality assessment of the articles was performed and the level of evidence was graded for the articles included for the meta-analysis. Pooled risk ratios (RR) and heterogeneity (I²) were calculated using inverse variance random effects models.
Results: Ten articles with high-quality results were identified for meta-analysis. Past medical history of stroke or TIA was a predictor of recurrent ischemic stroke (pooled RR 2.5, 95% CI 2.1–3.1). Small vessel strokes were associated with a lower risk of recurrence than large vessel strokes (pooled RR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7). Patients with stroke of an undetermined cause had a lower risk of recurrence than patients with large artery atherosclerosis (pooled RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2–1.1). We found no studies using CT or ultrasound for the prediction of recurrent ischemic stroke. The following MRI findings were predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke: multiple lesions (pooled RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–2.0), multiple stage lesions (pooled RR 4.1, 95% CI 3.1–5.5), multiple territory lesions (pooled RR 2.9, 95% CI 2.0–4.2), chronic infarcts (pooled RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2–1.9), and isolated cortical lesions (pooled RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.2).  
Conclusions: In patients with a recent ischemic stroke, a history of stroke or TIA and the subtype large artery atherosclerosis are associated with an increased risk of recurrent ischemic stroke. Predictors evaluated with MRI include multiple ischemic changes and isolated cortical lesions. Predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke concerning CT or ultrasound have not been published.