Etiology overlaps based on the brain infarct topography

ABSTRACT

Etiologic overlaps may occur in patients with ischemic stroke depending on the diagnostic investigations and classification criteria. Consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted in Mackenzie hospital, Canada from August 2003 to August 2004 underwent a standard battery of diagnostic investigations by stroke neurologists. Stroke mechanism was defined based on the Toast criteria. Stroke topography subtypes were small and large artery territory infarcts. A total of 302 stroke patients [159 female, 143 male] were registered. Small and large artery territory infarcts consisted 25.5% and 74.5% of our topography respectively. Etiologic overlaps were found in 17.5% of the patients. Cardiac source of embolism was significantly more frequent in patients with large artery territory infarcts [p= 0.002] but frequency difference of corresponing large artery atherosclerotic stenosis was not significant in these topographies [p= 0.378]. Etiologic overlaps were more frequent in patients with small artery territory infarcts [p= 0.004].Etiologic overlaps are frequent and should be considered for optimal management of the ischemic stroke patients