Delay in presentation of acute ischemic stroke in Lahore General Hospital, Lahore

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Objectives: To find out the time interval from onset of the symptoms to admission in the hospital of patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke, in order to assess the feasibility of thrombolytic therapy in Lahore General Hospital. Design: Hospital-based, prospective and observational study Setting: Lahore General Hospital Lahore. Duration: Six months from January - June 2004. Patients: Seventy two patients with acute ischemic stroke diagnosed on basis of clinical findings and CT scan. Methods: Patients o f a cute ischemic stroke including cerebral infarct, T IA, venous infarct and lacunar infarct were diagnosed on basis of clinical history, examination and CT scan and enrolled in the study. Data was collected on a Performa. Time taken by patients to reach hospital after onset of symptoms, distance of patients` residences from hospital, education level of patients and time required to do a CT scan after arrival of patient in hospital were studied. Results: 54.2% were male and mean age of patients was 60 years. 58 patients had cerebral infarction, TIA`s and venous infarction were 8 and 6 respectively. Delay in presentation was divided in three groups. Within three hours (hrs) 15 (21%) patients arrived. 54 and 18 patients arrived in 3-- 24 hrs group and >24 firs group. Mean distance was roughly 44 km. Mean distance for 0-3hrs, 3-24hrs and >24hrs group was 14, 35, and 85 Km respectively. Average time required to do CT scan was nine hours after arrival of patient in emergency department. Sixty-five percent of patients coming were illiterate. Conclusion: Majority of the patients with ischemic stroke present late to. emergency department. Many factors including distance from hospital, illiteracy, non-availability of ambulance services responsible for it. Evaluation-of patients and provision of urgent CT scan is required. in hospitals.