Abstract
Evidences support that thrombolysis is associated to a better functional outcome but not to intact cognition after subacute stroke. The purpose of this study is to compare cognition and functional capacity, 6−10 months after stroke, in patients treated with thrombolysis with rt-PA (tissular plasminogen activator) and those who were not. From October 2008 to March 2010, 15 patients treated with thrombolysis with rt-PA and 30 patients who did not receive this treatment, underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment and answered questionnaire about functionality. General cognitive performance, measured through the mean score of each cognitive domain, showed impairment with z score ≥ -1.50. Functional capacity was verified using PFAQ (Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire) relative to instrumental activities of daily living. Five or more points in PFAQ demonstrated functional impairment. Continuous variables were analyzed by students’ t-test and categorical ones by Chi-square. Cognitive deficits were present in 20% of all subjects. In the group who received treatment with thrombolysis with rt-PA, 46.7% had language impairment, 33.3% had visuospatial impairment, and 26.7% had visual memory impairment. This group presented 20% of patients with functional impairment. General cognitive performance (p = 0.624) and functional capacity (p = 0.664) showed no difference between groups. There was a statistically significant difference between groups concerning neglect (p = 0.004) and sustained visual attention (p = 0.028). Findings suggest that patients who received thrombolysis presented less neglect and less visual attention deficits but did not show better general cognitive functioning or functional capacity.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call