Prognosis of Stroke Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation in a Neurological Critical Care Unit

Overall prognosis of ventilated patients with severe stroke is better than previously reported. Older patients comatose on admission who need to be intubated because of neurological or respiratory deterioration have the poorest prognosis. We conclude that intubation and mechanical ventilation of severe stroke patients should be performed in a timely manner, before irreversible damage occurs.