Anju Susan Jacob, Sanjith Aaron, Sunithi Mani, Kundavaram Paul Prabhakar Abhilash, Ajay Kumar Mishra, Samuel George Hansdak, Ramya Iyyadurai, Alice Joan Mathuram, Sheena Evelyn Ebenezer, Mahendri V. Narayana, Visalakshi Jeyaseelan, Thambu David Sudarsanam

Posterior Circulation Strokes – Clinico-Radiological Features and Predictors of Outcome at 6 Months

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Embryology
  • Anatomy
Save to CiteDrive Show PDF

Introduction: Posterior circulation stroke (PCS) is often diagnosed late and long-term outcomes have not been described in South India. We wished to study clinical features, long-term outcomes, and independent predictors of the same. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in PCS patients from January 2014 to May 2017. Morbidity and mortality at discharge, at 3 months and 6 months was studied. Univariate and multivariate analysis of predictors of poor outcome as well as the survival analysis was computed. Results: We recruited 291 PCS during the study period; prevalence of PCS among all strokes was 12.9% in 2014. The mean age was 53.34 years (standard deviation 13.34). Young strokes constituted 28.8%. The common comorbidities were hypertension 72%, diabetes mellitus 52.6%, smoking 38.5%, and dyslipidemia 32.6%. The common presenting symptoms were giddiness 79%, unsteadiness 75.35%, ataxia 56%, motor deficits 48.8% and nausea and vomiting 43%. Most were Ischemic strokes (86.5%); 10.3% gave a history of preceding TIAs. Common arteries involved were posterior cerebral 45%, posterior inferior cerebellar 38%, and basilar artery 19.2%. Among ischemic strokes, large artery atherosclerosis was 50.8%. Dysphagia was seen in 32.6% and sepsis in 19.2%; post stroke pain in 23%, followed by cognition decline in 10.3%. Bad outcome (modifies Rankins score 4–6) was 16.8% at discharge, 16.4% at 1 month, 14.4% at 3 months, and 13.8% at 6 months. Independent predictors of bad outcomes at 6 months were baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (Odds ratio [OR] 1615.59 confidence interval [CI] 27.64–94447.7), invasive ventilation (OR 7.77 CI 1.57–38.43), sepsis (OR 17.22 CI 1.45–204.08), and basilar artery involvement (OR 19.98 CI 1.67–238.81). Baseline NIHSS scores between 0 and 5 suggest a good outcome while scores more than 13 suggest a bad outcome at 6 months. At 6 months, half are unemployed. Conclusions: The prevalence, clinical features, and comorbidities were also similar to previous studies. There was good survival at 6 months. NIHSS score is useful in predicting poor outcomes.

Need a simple solution for managing your BibTeX entries? Explore CiteDrive!

  • Web-based, modern reference management
  • Collaborate and share with fellow researchers
  • Integration with Overleaf
  • Comprehensive BibTeX/BibLaTeX support
  • Save articles and websites directly from your browser
  • Search for new articles from a database of tens of millions of references
Try out CiteDrive

More from our Archive