Clinical laboratory and tomographic evaluation of patients presenting with cerebrovasular accidents

ABSTRACT

The purpose of study was to describe important differences in clinical picture, morbidity and outcome between patients presenting with hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic strokes. It was a descriptive study. Medical Unit-I of Nishtar Hospital Multan. One hundred consecutive patients presenting with neurological deficit were evaluated. Sample was collected on the basis of convenience. The variables studied were the state of conscious level, severity of hemiplegia, duration of hospital stay, complications, in-hospital mortality and functional outcome at the time of discharge in both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic stroke groups. On computed tomography, 22 patients [23.4%] were found to have hemorrhagic stroke while 72 patients [76.6%] suffered from cerebral infarction. Eight hemorrhagic stroke patients [36%] and 5 ischemic stroke patients [7%] expired during their hospital stay. Unconsciousness was the most common mode of presentation in both hemorrhagic [45.4%] and ischemic stroke patients [33.3%]. Ischemic stroke was found to be more common than hemorrhagic stroke. Hypertension was the most common risk factor in both groups. The history of hypertension was largely unknown and control and monitoring was poor. The incidence of death was higher in hemorrhagic stroke group