Treatment of ischemic stroke: a retrospective study / Puteri Nadia Syazwani Othman

Objectives: In the present study, we sought to identify the characteristics of patients diagnosed with ischaemic stroke. This study was also performed to assess the treatment of patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke. Lastly, it was performed to compare the management of ischaemic stroke between current practice against the recommended guideline.
Method: Retrospective reviews the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke at medical record's office in Kajang Hospital from January I, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Patients' secondary prevention drugs (type, route of administration) at discharge were reviewed and identified.
Result: A total of 198 patients were diagnosed with ischemic stroke. This was found to be higher in men 104 (52.5%). In the study of 198 patients, 108 (54.5%) suffered stroke and 28 (14.1%) identified as recurrent stroke. The major co-morbidities identified were in combination of hypertension and diabetis mellitus and hypertension alone, which were seen in 45 (22.7%) patients and 39 (19.7%) patients respectively. Aspirin and statin were the most commonly prescribed agent, which were 170 (85.9%) and 182 (91.9%) respectively.
Conclusion: Majority of our patients are male, Malay and in the age range of 50-59. Aspirin and statin were mostly prescribed and widely used to treat ischaemic stroke. The current guidelines appear to have some influence on the current practice of the management of ischemic stroke.