Neurologic deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack

OBJECTIVE: To improve epidemiologic knowledge of neurologic deterioration (ND) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: In this prospective observational study, we captured ND prospectively in 29,446 patients with AIS admitted to 15 hospitals in Korea within 7 days of stroke onset. ND was defined as an increase in NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥2 (total), or ≥1 (motor or consciousness), or any new neurologic symptoms. Change in incidence rate after stroke onset, causes, factors associated with ND, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months and 1 year, and a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause death at 1 year were assessed. RESULTS: ND occurred in 4,299 (14.6%) patients. The highest rate, 6.95 per 1,000 person-hours incidence, was within the first 6 hours, which decreased to 2.09 within 24-48 hours, and 0.66 within 72-96 hours after stroke onset. Old age, female sex, diabetes, early arrival, large artery atherosclerosis as a stroke subtype, high NIHSS scores, glucose level, systolic blood pressure, leukocytosis at admission, recanalization therapy, TIA without a relevant lesion, and steno-occlusion of relevant arteries were associated with ND. The causes were stroke progression (71.8%) followed by recurrence (8.5%). Adjusted relative risks (95% CI) for poor outcome (mRS 3-6) at 3 months and 1 year were 1.75 (1.70-1.80) and 1.70 (1.65-1.75), respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) for the composite event was 1.59 (1.45-1.74). CONCLUSIONS: ND should be taken into consideration as a factor that may influence the outcome in acute ischemic stroke.