Pilot study of the characteristics of acute stroke events in patients discharged from the Carolina University Hospital, Puerto Rico in 2007
Zevallos, J.Carlos.; Gonzalez, J.; Santiago, F.; Rodríguez, R.; Rivera, A.; García, A.Michelle.; Flecha, F.; Colón, M.; Yarzebski, J.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 101(3): 11-13
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 PMID: 20120979 Document Number: 631345
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Puerto Rico. We examined the pre-hospital phase, management and case-fatality-rates (CFR) of patients discharged with acute stroke from the Carolina University of Puerto Rico Hospital during 2007. Trained personnel collected information on demographics, delay-time, mode-of-transportation, management, and mortality from all medical records. STATAâ was utilized to conduct univariate comparison of demographics, mode-of-transportation, therapeutics and diagnostic characteristics. Logistic regression analysis assessed cohort effect and controlled for confounders. The average age was 69.1 years, and 53% were males. The average delay between onset of symptoms suggestive of stroke and arrival at the emergency department was 4.5 hours. Only 62% of patients utilized Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Intravenous thrombolysis was not administered. Stroke mortality increased with age. Ischemic vs. hemorrhagic CFR was significantly higher (63.9% vs. 36.10%; p = 0.034). These findings highlight the potential benefit of evidence-based therapeutics and EMS use among stroke patients.
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