Mortality and Morbities of Severe Stroke in Limited Ressources Neurological Service

Abstract

Introduction: Severe strokes have poor prognosis by their heavy motor and cognitive consequences. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of these strokes. Material and Method: A retrospective and analytical study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 in the neurology department of our University Hospital. The diagnosis of severe stroke was based on clinical criteria (NIHSS score greater than 17, Glasgow score less than 9, and a WFNS stage greater than or equal to IV); and CT scan criteria (stroke location in the posterior fossa, carotid and Sylvian malignant infarction, cerebral hemorrhage with ventricular flood and mass effect). Results: We recorded 1964 strokes and 163 patients had severe stroke with a frequency of 8.3%. Of the 163 severe strokes, ischemic were observed in 38.7% and hemorrhagic for 61.3%. The average age was 55.8 ± 12.8. The motor deficit (76.1%) and disturbances of consciousness (62.6%) were the most admission signs. High blood pressure was the main risk factor (64.8%) and the etiology of hemorrhage in 83.5%. Atherosclerosis was the main etiology (86.4%) of ischemia. The hemorrhagic lesions location was diencephalic (67.7%) and brainstem (21.7%). Overall mortality was 44.8%, including 72.6% of early mortality due to haemorrhage. Predictive factors of mortality were the high NIHSS score, low Glasgow score, presence of ventricular flood, and high volume of hematoma. Conclusion: The high incidence of severe stroke and its early mortality rate demonstrate that many challenges remain to be done to improve the management of patients and avoid disabling sequelae.