Acute ischemic stroke in young adults-a hospital based study in North India

Abstract

Objectives: To see the risk factors, clinical presentations and radiological profile of acute ischemic stroke in young adults in a tertiary-care hospital of North India. Methods: This study was conducted among 50 acute ischemic stroke patients (clinically and radiologically confirmed) irrespective of sex within the age group of 15-45 years admitted to Department of Medicine (Emergency Unit) after getting clearance from Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC). A proforma for each of the acute ischemic stroke patients was maintained where all clinical information in brief including particulars of the subject, chief complaints, past history, proper general physical examination and systemic examinations etc were recorded. The patients had been undergone plain CT (computed tomography) scan/MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) brain on admission for radiological confirmation and to localize the site of lesion in brain. Results: Hypertension (56%) was the most common risk factor among acute ischemic stroke in young adults, followed by heart disease (54%). Majority of the acute ischemic stroke patients presented with hemiplegia (84%). Beside, imaging findings confirmed left sided brain lesion in majority of the patients (52%) and anterior circulation as the most common territory involved in the brain.   Conclusions: Hypertension is very common among the young acute ischemic stroke patients. Most common clinical presentation is hemiplegia. Thus, the knowledge of the risk factors, clinical presentation and radiological findings of acute ischemic stroke in young adults can help in prevention, better understanding and therapeutic decision making in the disease management.