Short term mortality predictors in acute stroke

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been done for last 20 years regarding the predictors of mortality in acute stroke. PURPOSE: This pilot study was designed for advancing our understanding the most influential factors involved in 4 wks mortality in Acute Stroke. METHODS: 440 patients were included in the study. We studied the patients by 32 variables (clinical-12, radiological-3, complications-11 and previously handicapped-6). RESULTS: Out of 32 variables (analyzed by Decision Tree Technique) complications like delay in recovery of consciousness and new onset AMI/CCF and aspiration pneumonia were found to be the most significant predictors of mortality. In the next grade of factors influencing morality, we found age (>60 years), severity of neurodeficit (GCS>7, grade I/V motor weakness), size of lesion (infarct>1 lobe. hemorrhage>60 ml) to be important variables. CONCLUSION: Scoring criteria and multicenteric study with a larger sample will be a better choice for assessing such predictability.