Short-Term Outcome and In-Hospital Complications After Acute Cerebral Infarcts in Multiple Arterial Territories.

Abstract

Background and Purpose- Patients with acute cerebral infarcts in multiple arterial territories (MACI) represent a substantial portion of the stroke population. There are no data on short-term outcome and in-hospital complications in patients with MACI. We compared patients with MACI with patients having acute cerebral infarct(s) in a single arterial territory. Methods- We analyzed 3343 patients with diffusion-weighted imaging-confirmed acute cerebral infarcts. MACI was defined as at least 2 acute cerebral ischemic lesions in at least 2 arterial cerebral territories. Patients with MACI were compared with patients with acute cerebral infarct(s) in a single arterial territory for relevant in-hospital complications and short-term outcome, namely National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale at day 7 after admission or at discharge when earlier. Results- A total of 311 patients (9.3%) met the definition of MACI. Both median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (2 [1-7] versus 1 [0-4]) and modified Rankin Scale (3 [1-4] versus 2 [1-3]) were higher in patients with MACI. MACI was independently associated with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale. Deep venous thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and any complications were more frequent in patients with MACI. Conclusions- In-hospital complications were more frequent in patients with MACI, which may adversely affect short-term clinical and functional outcome. Closer follow-up of patients with MACI during hospitalization may prevent such events and negative progression.