Keywords
Stroke - Risk Factors - Hospitalization - Prognosis
Palavras-chave
Acidente Vascular Cerebral - Fatores de Risco - Hospitalização - Prognóstico
INTRODUCTION
Stroke is one of the main causes of death and incapacity in the world.[1] This disease has a high percentage (90%) of potentially preventable cases when controlled
for 10 risk factors pointed out by O'Donnell et al.[2] Still, the event remains prevalent in Brazil and is responsible for > 100,000 annual
deaths, accounting for 1,437.74 years of healthy lives lost in 2016.[3]
The suitable treatment for ischemic stroke involves controlling for risk factors to
prevent new events, preventing associated complications, treating specific physiopathologic
processes, facilitating recovery, and lowering incapacities.[4]
Reperfusion therapy for ischemic stroke has become a milestone of stroke treatment
since 1995, having its benefit documented when performed up to 4.5 hours after the
first symptoms.[5] The second significant milestone happened in 2015 when the benefits of mechanic
thrombectomy were established as a fundamental part of ischemic stroke treatment up
to 6 hours after the onset of symptoms,[6] and, more recently, its efficacy was endorsed for selected patients treated 6 to
24 hours after the onset of symptoms.[7]
Many of these advances are not consolidated or available in Brazilian hospitals, despite
being regimented by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS, in the Portuguese acronym),
especially in the least favored areas away from the big cities. A study by the Federal
Medicine Board indicated that 76% of Brazilian hospitals did not have an adequate
stroke treatment structure, according to doctors interviewed in 2017.
Understanding medical assistance conditions in small centers allow better-adequate
planning in the application of resources of the SUS. Therefore, the present study
aimed to describe the characteristics medical assistance for ischemic stroke patients
in the countryside of the state of Bahia.
METHODS
Study design
The present study is prospective, observational, with randomly selected consecutive
patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke in 3 hospital units in the macroregion
of the South of Bahia.
Site of investigation
The microregion of the South of Bahia consists of 68 municipalities and 1,691,844
inhabitants, subdivided into the Health Regions of Ilhéus, Itabuna, Jequié, and Valença.
Ilhéus and Itabuna are the most populated ones, and Ilhéus is the primary reference
municipality[8] and headquarter of the higher educational institution that fomented the present
research.
Epidemiologic regional data from 2007 to 2017 show cerebrovascular diseases as responsible
for the highest mortality rate (44/100,000 inhabitants), surpassing cardiac ischemic
disease (35.37/100,000 inhabitants in the same year).[9]
Ilhéus has four hospital units for the admission of adult patients. Itabuna only has
two. This data considers tertiary hospitals that can potentially have full care for
adults with ischemic stroke, which must fulfill the following criteria (defined by
the authors): to be part of the SUS; to have minimal physical structure (24-hour emergency
room [ER], tomography, intensive care unit [ICU], and surgery center); and to have
a medical team with a neurologist and a neurosurgeon. The following units fulfilled
the criteria: Hospital Regional Costa do Cacau (HRCC, in the Portuguese acronym) (public
hospital, 180 beds, integrating the state bed regulation system), Hospital São José
(HSJ, in the Portuguese acronym) (philanthropic, 100 beds, working both with the SUS
and private healthcare), and Hospital Calixto Midlej Filho (HCMF, in the Portuguese
acronym) (philanthropic, 179 beds, working both with the SUS and private healthcare).
Procedures
We visited the HSJ and HCMF units weekly during the present study. Data collection
in the HRCC took place only in part of this period due to administration changes.
All cases consisted of hospitalized patients under suspicion of ischemic stroke within < 7
of the onset of symptoms. All participants were > 18 years old and agreed to take
part in the study.
Exclusion criteria
Intracranial hemorrhage present on imaging exam.
Patients were followed-up during hospitalization until medical discharge and after
2 moments: 30 and 90 days after the stroke.
We investigated demographic characteristics, stroke risk factors, prehospitalization
information, hospital admission information, first symptoms and hospital arrival timeframe
(delta T), vital signs, and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
We also considered other factors, such as the frequency of reperfusion therapies,
their nonapplication associated factors, hospitalization in ICU or wards, frequency
of complications (related infections, venous thromboembolism, and reoccurrence), intrahospital
rehabilitation, medication prescriptions, hospitalization period, results of etiologic
investigation exams, stroke subtype according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke
Treatment (TOAST) criteria, and intrahospital mortality.
We considered the modified Rankin scale (mRs) graduation within 30 and 90 days after
the event, an automatized version of the SSS-TOAST application,[10] and the Causative Classification of Stroke (CCS). The CCS concerned the last evaluation
with all intrahospital and postdischarge examinations, until the end of the segment,
for a better discrimination of the etiologic subtypes.[11]
Ethical aspects
The present study was submitted to the Ethical Research Committee at the Universidade
Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC, in the Portuguese acronym), Ilhéus, state of Bahia,
Brazil, taking place after being approved by the Committee under the statement CAAE
03669118.7.0000.5526, issued on December 17th, 2018.
Statistical analysis
We calculated the mean, median, standard deviation (SD), and interquartile range (IQR)
for continuous variables and for proportions of categoric and ordinal variables and
proportions for the descriptive statistical analysis.
The initially planned exploratory analyses were not carried out due to the sample
size, below our target of 100 patients. The statistical tests were performed using
IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
RESULTS
Population
As shown in [Table 1], 61 patients were included in the present study, with a median age of 62 years old
(39 to 98 years old), brown skin (63.9%), and male (59%) predominance. The median
for per capita income was R$ 954,00/month, while education had a median of 6.5 years.
Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities
|
Characteristics
|
All patients (n = 61)
|
|
Sociodemographic data
|
Age, years old (median, IQR*)
|
62 (56–77.5)
|
|
Male
|
36 (59%)
|
|
Ethnicity
|
Brown
|
39 (63.9%)
|
|
White
|
13 (21.3%)
|
|
Black
|
9 (14.8%)
|
|
Public health system
|
43 (70.5%)
|
|
City of origin
|
Ilhéus
|
39 (63.9%)
|
|
Itabuna
|
9 (14.8%)
|
|
Others
|
13 (21.3%)
|
|
Retirees
|
30 (49.2%)
|
|
Education, years (median, IQR)
|
6.5 (3–12)
|
|
< 1 year (illliterate)
|
11 (18%)
|
|
1–9 years (elementary school)
|
28 (45.9%)
|
|
10–12 years (high school)
|
12 (19.7%)
|
|
> 12 years (university degree)
|
10 (16.4%)
|
|
Per capita income in Reais (median, IQR)
|
954 (500–2000)
|
|
up to half of the minimum wage
|
11 of 58 (19%)
|
|
half to one minimum wage
|
20 of 58 (34.5%)
|
|
one to two minimum wages
|
12 of 58 (20.7%)
|
|
> 2 minimum wages
|
15 of 58 (25.9%)
|
|
Comorbidities and risk factors
|
Systemic arterial hypertension
|
50 (82.0%)
|
|
Diabetes mellitus
|
21 (34.4%)
|
|
Dyslipidemia
|
10 (16.4%)
|
|
Atrial fibrilation
|
8 (13.1%)
|
|
Prior stroke
|
12 (19.7%)
|
|
Active smoking
|
7 (11.5%)
|
|
Alcoholism
|
6 (9.8%)
|
|
Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 and < 30 kg/m2)
|
22/56 (39.3%)
|
|
Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2)
|
13/56 (23.2%)
|
|
Sedentary lifestyle
|
54 (88.5%)
|
|
Good previous functionality (mRs ≤ 2 )
|
61 (100%)
|
Abbreviation: BMI, body mass index; IQR interquartile range; mRs, modified Rankin
scale.
* IQR: interquartile range 1st–3rd.
Prior pathological history
[Table 1] also shows the most common comorbidities: systemic arterial hypertension (82%),
diabetes mellitus (34.4%), dyslipidemia (16.4%), and atrial fibrillation (13.1%).
Also, 11.1% of the patients declared to be active smokers (last 12 months), and 9.8%
declared heavy alcohol consumption (> 5 consecutive alcoholic doses/previous month
or > 14 doses/week for women and 21 for men). Although a prior stroke was reported
by 19.7% of the patients, none had a disability (mRs ≤ 2).
Clinical presentation
Most patients (73.8%) were at home when the first symptoms occurred, as seen in [Table 2]. Only 16.4% called the ambulance of the Emergency Mobile Care Service of the SUS
( SAMU, in the Portuguese acronym). First care took place at a local care unit (Unidade
de Atendimento [UPA, in the Portuguese acronym) or at a small hospital in 24.6% of
the cases. The median time from the onset of the first symptoms until arrival at the
hospital was 8 hours. All patients had a cranial tomography within a median of 4 hours.
The majority was hospitalized directly in a ward.
Table 2
Clinical characteristics, hospital management, and complications
|
Characteristics
|
All patients (n = 61)
|
|
Treatments and Outcomes
|
|
|
Prehospital data
|
Wake-up stroke
|
15 (24.6%)
|
|
Symptoms at home
|
45 (73.8%)
|
|
Use of SAMU
|
10 (16.4%)
|
|
Delta T in minutes, median (IQR*)
|
480 (90–885)
|
|
Tertiary hospital entrance door
|
46 (75.4%)
|
|
Transfer from UPA or a smaller hospital
|
15 (24.6%)
|
|
Hospital data
|
Delta T < 4.5 hours
|
23 (37.7%)
|
|
Delta CT in minutes, median (IQR*)
|
240 (126.5–532.5)
|
|
ICU admission
|
6 (9.8%)
|
|
Clinical characteristics
|
NIHSS, median (IQR*)
|
7 (3–12.5)
|
|
NIHSS < 5
|
22 (36.1%)
|
|
NIHSS 5–14
|
29 (47.5%)
|
|
NIHSS ≥15
|
10 (16.4%)
|
|
Capilar glicemia at admission in mg/dL, median, (IQR*)
|
115.5 (90.2–191)
|
|
Systolic arterial hypertension in mmHg, median (IQR*)
|
140 (130–172.5)
|
|
Diastolic arterial hypertension in mmHg, median (IQR*)
|
80 (80–90.5)
|
|
Treatments
|
Hiperacute treatment (rt-PA or thrombectomy)
|
−
|
|
Eligible by the time window < 4.5 hours for rt-PA usage
|
23 (37.7%)
|
|
Lost window due to delay in transfer (n)
|
6
|
|
Lost window due to delay in performing CT (n)
|
6
|
|
Exclusion criteria for the use of thrombolytic agents (n)
|
3
|
|
Not performed for unknown reason (n)
|
8
|
|
Simple antiaggregation prescription (AAS or clopidogrel) at discharge
|
33 of 53 (62.3%)
|
|
Double antiaggregation prescription (AAS and clopidogrel) at discharge
|
9 of 53 (17%)
|
|
Statin prescription at discharge
|
34 of 53 (64.1%)
|
|
Anticoagulant prescription at discharge
|
8 of 53 (15.1%)
|
|
Endarterectomy or carotid angioplasty
|
−
|
|
At least one consultation with speech therapist and assessment for dysphagia
|
26 (42.6%)
|
|
Evaluation and monitoring with physiotherapy
|
31 (50.8%)
|
|
Complications
|
Need for neurosurgical intervention (craniectomy or EVD ± )
|
3 (4.9%)
|
|
Venous thromboembolism
|
1 (1.7%)
|
|
Infection
|
16 (26.2%)
|
|
Stroke recurrence*
|
3 (4.9%)
|
|
Length of stay in days, median (IQR*)
|
10.5 (5–16)
|
|
Length of stay > 14 days (n)
|
20/60 (33.3%)
|
|
Hospitalar mortality
|
8 (13.1%)
|
Abbreviations: AAS, acetylsalicylic acid; Delta CT, the time between arrival at the
hospital and cranial tomography; Delta T, time between the onset of symptoms and arrival
at the health service; EVD ± , external ventricular drain; ICU, intensive care unit;
IQR, interquartile range; NIHSS, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (severity
score in stroke); Wake-up stroke, stroke symptoms upon awakening.
* IQR: interquartile range 1st–3rd.
[Table 2] also refers to the graduation of symptoms applied until the 7th day after the stroke. According to the NIHSS scale, 62.3% presented an NIHSS between
0 and 9; of these, 22 (36.1%) were patients with light symptoms (NIHSS between 0 and
4). On the other hand, only 10 (or 16.4%) had severe symptoms (NIHSS ≥ 15). Admission
glycemia and blood pressure factors were only present in 9 records, with a median
blood glucose of 115.5 mg/dL (77 to 205 mg/dL). The median blood pressure was 140 × 80 mmHg
(120 × 60 to 190 × 110 mmHg).
Hospital care
None of the patients were submitted to reperfusion therapies. However, 23 patients
(37.7%) were hospitalized in a high-complexity unit in a feasible time window for
venous thrombolytic treatment (delta T < 4.5 hours).
None of the patients were submitted to a contrasted vessel study during admission,
even at the units with available computed tomography (CT) angiography and digital
arteriography equipment available. At least 1 evaluation for dysphagia was noted in
42.6% of the cases, and physiotherapy care treatment was identified in 49.2%.
Sixteen patients (26.2%) experienced infections, especially in the respiratory (62.5%)
tract. Carotid revascularization was not performed in any case. Electrocardiogram,
echocardiogram, as well as carotid and vertebral duplex scans, were present in, respectively,
80.3, 32.8, and 31.1 of the records of the patients. We also identified lipidic profile
(42.6%) and blood glucose (67.2%) results in the sample.
According to the TOAST etiologic classification, 78.7% of the patients were classified
as being of the undetermined etiologic subtype (UN). During discharge (patients alive:
53), 79.3% received an antiaggregative (acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel) prescription.
Anticoagulants were prescribed to 15.1% of the patients, while statin was prescribed
to 64.1%.
Mortality and recurrence
The intrahospital mortality was 13.1%, while the median hospitalization time was 10.5
days (minimum of 1 and maximum of 59 days). Hospitalization extended to 2 weeks in
33.3% of the cases. Considering a 3-month period, 3 patients (4.9%) had a stroke recurrence
– 2 intrahospital and 1 between discharge and the 30th day evaluation.
Complementary examinations
As shown in [Table 3], all patients had a cranial tomography. At the last evaluation, 88.5% also had an
electrocardiogram, 55.7% an echocardiogram, 47.5% a carotid and vertebral duplex scan,
and ∼ 22% had an angiotomography or angioresonance (in addition to ultrasound study).
The final data of the aftercare evaluation showed that only 45.9% of the patients
received a complete etiologic investigation (electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and
vessel studies).
Table 3
Neuroimaging and etiological investigations
|
Characteristics
|
All patients (n = 61)
|
|
Exams performed during the study period
|
|
|
Neuroimaging
|
Computed tomography
|
61 (100%)
|
|
Nuclear magnetic ressonance
|
12 (19.7%)
|
|
Stroke etiologic investigation
|
Electrocardiogram
|
54 (88.5%)
|
|
Echocardiogram
|
34 (55.7%)
|
|
Duplex arterial scan of carotid and vertebral
|
29 (47.5%)
|
|
Arterial cranial and/or cervical angiotomography
|
7 (11.4%)
|
|
Arterial cranial and/or cervical angioressonance
|
6 (9.8%)
|
|
Minimal etiological investigation
|
28 (45.9%)
|
|
Neuroimaging exam findings
|
Cortical ischemia/subcortical location (nonlacunar)
|
38 (63.3%)
|
|
Deep-located ischemia (lacunar)
|
22 (36.7%)
|
|
Ischemia in anterior circulation territory
|
45 (75%)
|
|
Ischemia in posterior circulation territory
|
15 (25%)
|
|
Etiological subtype according to TOAST at discharge
|
Undetermined (incomplete investigation or > 1 mechanism)
|
48 (78.7%)
|
|
Cardioembolic
|
4 (6.6%)
|
|
Large artery atherosclerosis
|
4 (6.6%)
|
|
Undetermined (cryptogenic)
|
3 (4.9%)
|
|
Small vessel disease
|
2 (3.3%)
|
|
Laboratory tests (n = 30)
|
Total cholesterol in mg/dl (median, IQR)
|
194 (179–218)
|
|
HDL in mg/dl (median, IQR)
|
40.5 (36–47)
|
|
LDL in mg/dl (median, IQR)
|
116.5 (104–139)
|
|
Triglycerides in mg/dl (median, IQR)
|
145 (110–214)
|
|
Fasting blood glucose in mg/dl ± (median, IQR)
|
128 (102–194)
|
Abbreviations: HDL, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; IQR, interquartile range;
LDL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Ischemia of cortical/subcortical location denotes any ischemia > 2 cm in diameter.
Ischemia in posterior circulation territory indicates any ischemia in the vertebrobasilar
territory (including the posterior cerebral artery territory, in the absence of documentation
of fetal standard anatomical variation).
* IQR: interquartile range 1st–3rd; ± : Result identified in the medical records of 41 patients.
[Table 3] also shows the aftercare evaluation performed 30 and 90 days after the stroke. We
identified an improvement in the discrimination of etiologic subtypes. According to
the TOAST, 78.7% of the patients fell into the UN etiology (incomplete investigation
or > 1 mechanism) by the time of medical discharge. The CCS classification, considering
all exams 90 days after the stroke, showed 32.8% of UN cases (cryptogenic, incomplete
investigation, or unclassified), the most prevalent subtype, followed by cardioembolic
(29.5%), and small vessel occlusion (27.9%).
[Table 4] presents the functional outcome data. In a 30-day evaluation, 59 out of 61 patients
were accessible, 59.3% presented some degree of incapacitation (mRs ≥ 3), and the
mortality was 11.9%. A total of 57 patients were accessible in the 90-day evaluation,
and 47.4% evolved to a poor outcome (mRs ≥ 3). From those, 7% had moderate disfunction
and incapacitation (mRs = 3), 8.8% had wheelchair dependency (mRs = 4), and 10.5%
were confined to bed (mRs = 5). The excellent outcome (independent patient: mRs 0
to 1) rate was 31.6%, and the general mortality was 21.1%.
Table 4
Functional outcome and etiological classification of stroke
|
Characteristics
|
Results
|
|
Outcomes
|
1 month (n = 59)
|
3 months (n = 57)
|
|
Functional outcome
|
mRs (median, IQR*)
|
3.2–4
|
2.1–5
|
|
mRs 0
|
3 (5.1%)
|
5 (8.8%)
|
|
mRs 1
|
6 (10.2%)
|
13 (22.8%)
|
|
mRs 2
|
15 (25.4%)
|
12 (21.1%)
|
|
mRs 3
|
13 (22%)
|
4 (7%)
|
|
mRs 4
|
8 (13.6%)
|
5 (8.8%)
|
|
mRs 5
|
7 (11.9%)
|
6 (10.5%)
|
|
mRs 6
|
7 (11.9%)
|
12 (21.1%)
|
|
Categorized functional
outcome
|
Excellent outcome (mRS 0–1: independent patient)
|
|
18 (31.6%)
|
|
Good outcome (mRS 0–2: patient without disability)
|
|
30 (52.6%)
|
|
Bad outcome (mRS 3–6: disability or death)
|
|
27 (47.4%)
|
|
Etiological classification of stroke by CCS
|
Cardio-aortic embolism
|
|
18 (29.5%)
|
|
Supra-aortic large artery atherosclerosis
|
|
5 (8.2%)
|
|
Small artery occlusion
|
|
17 (27.9%)
|
|
Other causes
|
|
1 (1.6%)
|
|
Undetermined causes
|
|
20 (32.8%)
|
|
Mortality
|
|
12 of 57 (21.1%)
|
Abbreviation: CCS, Causative Classification of Stroke; IQR, interquartile range; mRs,
modified Rankin scale.
*IQR: interquartile range 1st–3rd.
DISCUSSION
Risk factors
We identified that the prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities was similar to
those of other national regions, like Joinville,[12] Matão,[13] and Fortaleza.[14] However, the population of the present study differs ethnically from them, being
more similar to the population of Fortaleza, where white skin patients represented
only 28%.
The INTERSTROKE study[2] identified 10 modifiable risk factors related to 90% of the population attributable
risk of stroke. The prevalence of these risk factors was higher in our sample than
in the general population,[15] notably arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia.
Initial treatment
A determinant factor in improving the outcomes of patients are reperfusion treatments,[16] which are time-dependent. The higher the timeframe in ischemia, the lower the number
of "healthy" neurons. Saver et al. quantified time dependency identifying that, with
each minute in ischemia, a cerebral area loses approximately two million neurons.[17] In our sample, the median time between the first symptoms and hospital arrival was
8 hours, which limited the possibilities of thrombolytic therapy.
A study in populous Brazilian cities in 2008 showed that 22.2% of the interviewed
individuals could not identify stroke signs by a typical occurrence description.[18] Ten years later, with audiovisual resources, Meira et al.[19] analyzed stroke knowledge in a similar population, 44% of which could not recognize
the disease. Our study examined the knowledge of family members (or carergivers) on
stroke during hospitalization, 44.3% of whom did not recognize the event of the patient
a stroke; 90.2% were unaware of a treatment capable of reversing stroke symptoms when
done quickly; and 32.8% did not know any risk factors. In aforementioned studies,[18]
[19] more than half of the interviewees stated that they would call SAMU if a family
member showed the presented symptoms. The results of our populations showed that only
16.4% used SAMU as a resource, a factor perhaps influenced by lack of knowledge about
the service, insufficient ambulances to attend all calls, living in a rural area,
living in a city without the service, urban mobility, and access to the hospitals.
Studies point out that ∼ 25% of ischemic stroke patients are eligible to receive thrombolytic
treatment.[20] Regardless, national studies show low use percentages, varying from 4.6[21] to 8.9%[22] in the Southeast to 1.1%[14] in the Northeast. Many factors influence this, from the lack of knowledge of the
population regarding emergency care, leading to late arrival of patients, until intrahospital
immediate care, mainly fear of the risk of complications of thrombolysis.[23] The hospitals included in our study have similar physical structures and handling
characteristics: "open doors", ER for adult patients, spontaneous demand care, tomography,
ICUs, and backend neurosurgery. Despite these, there is no neurologist on duty, neither
a stroke unit nor a formally established patient assistance protocol. The Academia
Brasileira de Neurologia recommends[23] handling systematization for fast stroke identification and prioritizing to guarantee
therapy infusion up to 60 minutes after admission. The present study observed that
37.7% of the patients arrived in a heath service in < 4.5 hours, but transfer and
cranium TC scan delays were responsible for the majority of losses of therapeutic
window for patients. However, considering that patients arrived at the hospital in
an adequate delta T and did a head CT scan in < 4.5 hours, the reason for the nonprescription
of the therapy was not clear from the medical record data in ∼ 13% of all cases, as
r-TPa was available in 2 of the 3 hospitals, and the assistant physician was not interviewed.
The hypotheses for nonprescription are unavailability of medication, lack of experience
of the team with the therapy, lack of knowledge regarding the efficiency of the therapy,
fear of associated complications, or light stroke symptoms.[24]
The NIHSS is a predictor regardless of ICU requirement and, the higher it is, the
higher the chance of an unfavorable evolution.[25] In our study, only 6 (9.8%) cases were admitted in an ICU, despite 10 (16.4%) patients
having scored ≥ 15 in the NIHSS. The data does not allow clarification of further
determinants and possible avoidable death implications. However, the lack of ICU beds
and of recognition for potential clinical gravity require subsequent analysis.
The most prescribed medication for secondary cerebrovascular prophylaxis were antiplatelets
(79.3%), followed by statins (64.1%) and anticoagulants (15.1%) – not taking into
consideration the prescription of antihypertensives and hypoglycemics drugs. All patients
should receive antiaggregatives in the first 48 hours and anticoagulants in cardioembolic
etiology cases.[16] In a combined analysis, 95% of the patients essentially received secondary prophylaxis.
Regarding statin prescription, simvastatin was prescribed in 3 out of 4 cases, possibly
due to the price of the medication. Strong statins are costly and only available as
special medication, requiring forms, medical history, and SUS registration. Another
data that drew our attention was that 8 (15.1%) of the 53 medically discharged patients
were prescribed anticoagulants. However, 18 (29.5%) had a cardioembolic etiology by
the end of the study. This hospitalization rate was undoubtedly influenced by low
etiologic investigation, which was incomplete in 78.7% of the cases. No anticoagulant
was prescribed during hospitalization for 10 patients classified as cardioembolic
(CE) 90 days after. Further understanding and exploration of the impact of "subprescription"
are necessary.
Functionality of the patients
The functionality after stroke is influenced by age, stroke gravity level, hyperacute
therapies implemented, stroke subtype, multidisciplinary care, etc. The present research
identified an excellent outcome in only 31.6% of the patients, with a general mortality
of 21.1%. This proportion was considerably worse compared with that observed by Thomalla
et al., who had a population median NIHSS of 6 when measuring outcomes differences
between cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided alteplase within an unknown
time window versus standard treatment identified that in treatment group patients
had 53.3% excellent outcomes and 2.6% general mortality. The treatment group population
had 53.3% excellent outcomes and 2.6% general mortality.[26] Similarly, in the ECASS III study, which measured the differences in outcome with
the use of alteplase within a 3- to 4.5- hour therapeutic window, the median NIHSS
was 10, and in the treatment group, an excellent outcome occurred in 52.4%, and the
general mortality was 8%.[4] Furthermore, in these 2 studies, conducted in stroke excellence units without thrombolytic
therapy and with multidisciplinary care, the control groups had > 40% excellent outcomes,
confirming that other variables are fundamental to patient care. However, our small
sample does not allow an in-depth evolution analysis for independent and determinant
factors.
Limitations
The observational design of the present study limits us to infer associations and
only describe the studied population regarding stroke occurrence, treatment conduction,
and generate hypotheses related to functional outcome determinants for further analysis
in poststudies. The convenience sample might generate a biased patient selection for
those hospitalized longer and in the least favorable conditions. Access to rehabilitation,
physiotherapy, medication, and neurological care between medical discharge and the
90-days evaluation were not measured.
We experienced difficulties finding data on the patients in hospital records to confront
them with self-provided information. Despite having an electronic data system, the
hospitals do not have electronic records. There is no interface integration for emergency
files, with some of them being registered only manually. Absence of protocols and
the consequent standard care allowed the experience of individual general practitioners
to affect the quantity and quality of the medical record data.
Final considerations
In conclusion, we did not find any other study in the literature conducted after the
thrombectomy era describing acute stroke treatment in one of the less favored regions
of Brazil. Thrombolytic use for acute ischemic stroke and stroke unities organization,
are standardized by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, in ordinances published in the
Diário Oficial da União in 2012 (Portarias n° 664/GM/MS and n° 665/GM/MS) and 2015
(Portaria n° 800/GM/MS); however, in the studied area, there are no stroke units.
Our population presented sociodemographic and comorbidities characteristics similar
to those of other national samples. The patients took a long time to arrive at the
hospital. Many of them did not use SAMU as a transportation and care option. The patients
were handled mainly in general wards, without reperfusion therapies. Infection was
the most frequent clinical complication, and the most prevalent stroke subtype was
UN, influenced by the low frequency of etiologic investigation. Rehabilitation was
not regular, and there was a considerable secondary cerebrovascular prophylaxis prescription.
Almost half of the population evolved with incapacities and a high mortality rate
regarding patient functionality, despite the initial low clinical gravity.
Without stroke units and an institutional protocol, there is a denial related to therapeutic
advances and comprehensive care, and we believe this to be representative of most
of the country. The treatment received is still similar to the one provided during
the 1980s: A secondary prevention-oriented treatment. In the excellence centers, is
celebrated the Randomization of Endovascular Treatment with Stent-retriever and/or
Thromboaspiration versus Best Medical Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke due to Large
Vessel Occlusion Trial (RESILIENT) results,[27] while in the countryside we are still stuck in the past. The present research hopes
to alert for technological duality. We believe there is a national effort in this
regard; nevertheless, we are far from spreading the technology throughout the country.
We need urgently to make it more accessible for the population outside of developed
cities. Doing so can reduce the distance between the countryside and the big centers
and the impact of stroke in our community.
