Poststroke infections are an independent risk factor for poor functional outcome after three-months in thrombolysed stroke patients

Onlinelibrary.wiley.com: 5/28/12.

Infections are common complications in patients with acute ischemic stroke; however, the pathophysiology of the stroke-induced immunodepression is still under debate. Although it has been shown that increased mortality and longer hospital stay are associated with the presence of poststroke infections, it remains unclear if early poststroke infections occurring in the first seven-days have an effect on the overall functional outcome.

Aim of our study was to identify the frequency of poststroke infections in thrombolysed stroke patients and to analyze their effect on the outcome after three-months.

From 1998 to 2011, all patients in our institution undergoing thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke were included into a prospective database. Baseline variables, clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data were collected prospectively. Outcome measures included symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage per European-Australasian Acute Stroke Study II criteria, mortality, and modified Rankin Scale at three-months. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors for poor outcome where appropriate. Read More