Etiologic Overlaps Based on the Brain Infarct Topography
Abstract
Background: Etiologic overlaps may occur in patients with ischemic stroke depending on the diagnostic investigations and classification criteria.
Methods: Consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted in Mackenzie hospital, Canada from August 2003 to August 2004 underwent a standard battery of diagnostic investigations by stroke neurologists. Stroke mechanism was defined based on the Toast criteria. Stroke topography subtypes were small and large artery territory infarcts.
Results: A total of 302 stroke patients (159 female, 143 male) were registered. Small and large artery territory infarcts consisted 25.5% and 74.5% of our topography respectively. Etiologic overlaps were found in 17.5% of the patients. Cardiac source of embolism was significantly more frequent in patients with large artery territory infarcts (p= 0.002) but frequency difference of corresponing large artery atherosclerotic stenosis was not significant in these topographies (p= 0.378). Etiologic overlaps were more frequent in patients with small artery territory infarcts (p= 0.004).
Conclusion: Etiologic overlaps are frequent and should be considered for optimal management of the ischemic stroke patients.
Key words: Etiology, Mechanism, Overlap, Stroke, Coexistence
Methods: Consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted in Mackenzie hospital, Canada from August 2003 to August 2004 underwent a standard battery of diagnostic investigations by stroke neurologists. Stroke mechanism was defined based on the Toast criteria. Stroke topography subtypes were small and large artery territory infarcts.
Results: A total of 302 stroke patients (159 female, 143 male) were registered. Small and large artery territory infarcts consisted 25.5% and 74.5% of our topography respectively. Etiologic overlaps were found in 17.5% of the patients. Cardiac source of embolism was significantly more frequent in patients with large artery territory infarcts (p= 0.002) but frequency difference of corresponing large artery atherosclerotic stenosis was not significant in these topographies (p= 0.378). Etiologic overlaps were more frequent in patients with small artery territory infarcts (p= 0.004).
Conclusion: Etiologic overlaps are frequent and should be considered for optimal management of the ischemic stroke patients.
Key words: Etiology, Mechanism, Overlap, Stroke, Coexistence