Pattern of Stroke Admissions, Radiodiagnostic Compliance, and Outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Hospital, South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Stroke patients form an integral part of patients admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU); and may need airway maintenance, supplemental oxygen and even endotracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation. Method: In this retrospective study, the medical records and radiological investigations of the patients were assessed. Also, their socio-demographics, and clinical diagnosis and background co-morbidities were noted. The radiological diagnosis post CT was used to determine the type of stroke for those compliant; while clinical assessment alone was used to determine the diagnosis in those who did not do CT. They were also classified into 2 groups: those requiring mechanical ventilation (for ICU care) and those without the need for mechanical ventilation (for high dependency Unit (HDU) care). The eventual clinical outcome was noted. Result: A total of eighty-eight cases, 67% (n = 59) were males and 33% (n = 29) females. 89.8% (n = 79) had hypertension, 3.4% (n = 3) had diabetes while 6.8% (n = 6) had both hypertension and diabetes. Of the hypertensives, 36.7% (n = 29) had hemorrhagic stroke and 66.3% (n = 50) had ischaemic stroke. 53.3% (n = 46) patients had High dependency Unit (HDU care while 47.7% (n = 42) were mechanically ventilated. Of the number in HDU, 51.5% (n = 17) were haemorrhagic, while 52.7% (n = 29) were ischaemic. Clinical diagnosis of ischemic stroke was done in 55 (62.5%) and hemorrhagic stroke in 37.5% (n = 33). Of the lot, only 19.3% (n = 17) of them did CT and 80.7% (n = 71) did not have CT done. None did MRI. Late presentation (beyond 24 hrs) was a common feature for most of the patients, for whom immediate cardio-respiratory support became necessary. Overall mortality rate was 62.5% (n = 55). 39.1% (n = 18) of the HDU (46) patients died, while 88.1% (n = 37) of the ventilated (42) patients died. 56.6% (n = 26) were discharged from the HDU and 4.3% (n = 2) referred to another facility. Of the 42 patients on mechanical ventilation 88.1% (37) died, 9.5% (n = 4) discharged, and 2.4% (n = 1) referred to another health facility. Summary: Low neuroimaging compliance by Stroke patients in our environment and late presentation to hospital, impacts negatively on good outcome of the disease. This, coupled with the high cost of these facilities, makes their use unaffordable, suggesting a strong indication for comprehensive quality and affordable health care and health insurance in the country.