Characterization of acute ischemic cerebrovascular accidents at the emergency department

Caracterización del ataque cerebrovascular isquémico agudo en el servicio de urgencias

Introduction: cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Colombia, there is scarce data to distinguish the risk factors and clinical course among men and women. Objective: to characterize inpatients with a diagnosis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) treated at Hospital de San José in Bogotá from March 1, 2019, to January 31, 2020. Methodology: a prospective, descriptive, cohort study in inpatients older than 18 years, diagnosed with ICVD, treated at Hospital de San José in Bogotá. Results: 106 patients with mean age 69 years, were included. Risk factors included physical inactivity 87.1%; overweight 40.6%, hypertension 41.5 % and tobacco smoke exposure 22.7%.  A CT angiogram scan evidenced some degree of carotid stenosis in 18% and atrial fibrillation was identified in 5.6%. Most patients received acetylsalicylic acid and atorvastatin (83.6%); 8.1% received anticoagulation therapy and most of them presented a mild stroke (62.6%); 19% of patients received thrombolytic therapy. Atherosclerosis was established as the cause in 41.8%. Discussion and conclusions: cerebrovascular events mostly occur in the seventh decade of life and above, in the active population, causing significant disabilities with functional limitation. The proper management of risk factors that are modifiable can reduce the risk of a stroke.

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