"Complications after acute “Brain Attack

Abstract

We discussed the type, timing and frequency of complications occurring in hospitalized patients after an acute brain attack, whether there is a relationshi p between the complications and the stroke type and location, also, if there are predictors of ea rl y complications in patients at high-risk. Patients and methods: we st udied 100 patien ts wi th acute stroke. 72 patients had ischem i c stroke and 28 patients had in tra cerebra l hemorrhage. All of our patients su ffered from at least one complicati on during their stay at the hospital. Resu lts: In genera l the m ost common compli cation encountered was GIT complications (constipation, diarrhea, hematemesis, vomit ing, and melena). At least one of them occu rred in 86% of the patients. The commonest single complication was chest infection in 71% of patients, followed closely by UTI in 69% of pat ients. Wh ile, the lowest incidence was for death and DVT occurring in 3% and 4% of the patients respectively. All complications were more prevalent in patients with I.C.H than in patients with ischemic stroke. The rel ation between stroke type and complications was signi ficant onl y in chest infection, death, GIT com plications, and renal affection. Concl usion: We cou ld predict patients at high-risk for complicat ions, and shou l d be able to take measures to mini mize the possibili ty of d evelopin g these complications. We found that patients with I.C.H are at higher ri sk for developi ng almost all complications especiall y i f these pat ients suffered from early disturbance of consciousness in the course of the disease and pati ents wi th high NIHSS on admi ssion. These patients should be offered special care more than other patients with acute stroke should. Knowled ge of the frequency, type, and timing of complicati ons after stroke is important in terms of direct patient care and the planning of care services.