NEUROVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES

Abstract

Neurovascular dysfunction is an increasingly recognized but insufficiently understood complication among patients with hematologic malignancies. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to examine the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of neurovascular compromise in individuals diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Quantitative data included biomarker profiles, neurocognitive scoring, advanced neuroimaging, and clinical outcomes, while qualitative elements captured patient-reported neurological symptoms and functional impairments. Results from over 500 patients revealed that 62% exhibited measurable neurovascular abnormalities, with endothelial biomarkers such as sVCAM-1 and von Willebrand factor significantly elevated in affected cohorts (p < 0.01). MRI-based lesion mapping identified ischemic changes predominantly in subcortical regions, with white matter hyperintensities and microbleeds more prevalent in leukemia patients compared to lymphoma and myeloma. Notably, 73% of high-dose chemotherapy recipients experienced worsening perfusion metrics and neurocognitive scores post-treatment. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that comorbid hypertension and diabetes independently predicted neurovascular injury, while unsupervised clustering revealed three distinct neurovascular phenotypes with varying prognostic implications. Visualization of these trends via scatter plots, hybrid charts, and density maps confirmed statistically significant associations between biomarker elevation, lesion burden, and functional decline. Collectively, these findings highlight a pervasive and heterogeneous neurovascular burden in hematologic malignancy populations, emphasizing the need for early surveillance, risk stratification, and integrative care approaches. This study is one of the first to consolidate imaging, biochemical, and clinical data into a unified model of neurovascular pathology in this vulnerable patient group.