Characteristics of first ever ischemic stroke in the very elderly: Profile of vascular risk factors and clinical outcome

Purpose: Age is the most significant non-modifiable risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS). With increasing expectancy of life, the majority of IS patients will be elderly subjects. We studied the epidemiological, clinical and rehabilitation features of patients aged >= 85 years with first-ever IS. Methods: Demographic data, prevalence of risk factors, etiology of stroke, severity of neurological deficit, major complications and mortality rates were collected from a hospital-based stroke registry and compared between patients at the age of 65-84 and >= 85. Clinical assessment was performed by means of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Among 216 patients aged >= 85 years there was significantly higher proportion of a history of atrial fibrillation than in 128 patients at the age of 65-84 years and lower prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and smoking. Large artery atherosclerosis was more frequently identified in the older patients (49% vs. 32%, p = 0.002). Although NIHSS scores on admission were lower in the older patients they were more disabled at discharge. Conclusions: With respect to the patients aged < 85 years very old IS patients showed different vascular risk factors profile, clinical and rehabilitation course. These findings suggest specializing stroke care in the very elderly. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.