Analysis of Risk Factors for Poor Short-Term Outcomes in Acute Cardioembolic Stroke Patients without Reperfusion Therapy

PURPOSE: Few clinical indicators of a poor outcome have been defined in acute cardioembolic stroke (CES) patients. We would like to explore practical clinical factors that can predict poor outcomes of CES in the early stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, 251 consecutive patients with acute CES who did not undergo reperfusion therapy were evaluated. On the basis of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months, patients were divided into the good functional outcome group (mRS ≤ 2) and the poor functional outcome group (mRS ≥ 3). Risk factors were analyzed and the independent indicators for a poor outcome were identified using a binary logistic regression model. RESULTS: One hundred (39.8%) patients had a poor outcome. Patients in the poor outcome group were significantly older (P = 0.002) and had significantly higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score compared with those with a good outcome (P < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, the baseline NIHSS score (P < 0.001), moderate to severe leukoaraiosis (P = 0.011), non-symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (P = 0.019), stroke-associated pneumonia (P = 0.001), and fasting glucose (P = 0.040) were independent risk factors for a poor outcome. CONCLUSION: The short-term outcome in acute CES patients without reperfusion therapy can be predicted by using five practical clinical factors. These indicators should attract more attention.